Cats
outer sheath (medulla). Melanin granules may be distributed differently in cortex and
medulla. Granules in the medulla can be a different size and orientation to those in the cortex.
It is the combination of location, size, shape and density of melanin granules that gives
different colours.
The Structure Of A Hair Shaft
Simplified Diagram Of Pigment Granules In Cat Hair - based on the microscopy examination
photos
Prieur & Collier (1981) compared the melanin granules in hair of black, smoke, blue,
Chediak-Higashi-smoke, and pink-eyed dilution cats. A portion of the preserved skin of the
pink-eyed dilute cat was used in this study.
Black cat hair (non-agouti) contains numerous small dark brown to black melanin
granules uniformly distributed throughout all portions from base to tip of the hair.
Smoke cat hair (non-agouti + inhibitor (silver) gene) has a scarcity of melanin
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