Albinism in Icelandic sheep.

A description is given of complete albinism in Icelandic sheep. The albino animals, which have occurred both among white and nonwhite strains of sheep, are pure white in color with pink eyes and impaired vision in bright light. The condition is shown to be autosomal, recessive, and is assumed to be caused by a mutation of C to c, thereby being homologous to albinism in rodents. Data on mating results are tabulated. This is believed to be the first case of albinism reported in sheep.