Purpose: NC/Tnd mice, a spontaneous model for human atopic dermatitis, are also useful animal models for various corneal disorders accompanying allergic diseases. The purposes of the current study were to investigate the development of retinal degeneration in NC/Tnd mice.

Materials and Methods: Histological examination was performed to determine time-dependent alterations of the retina in NC/Tnd from 8 to 28 days of age. Apoptotic cells were determined by TUNEL assay. Retinal function was examined by electroretinography. Fundoscopy was performed in NC/Tnd mice at 8 weeks of age. Melanin contents in whole-eye extracts were measured by spectrophotometry. Since the retinal degeneration 1 (rd1) mutation in the rod photoreceptor cyclic guanosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase 6 β-subunit (Pde6b^rd1) has been identified in laboratory mice, the possible existence of the rd1 mutation was analyzed with PCR genotyping and gene sequencing. C57BL/6, WB, and C3H/HeN mice were used as controls.

Results: Histological examination revealed rapid postnatal retinal degeneration in NC/Tnd mice. The number of apoptotic cells in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) increased with aging, and finally the ONL disappeared. Histological abnormality was not obvious in the inner nuclear layer or the ganglion cell layer. Electroretinography shows no response in adult NC/Tnd mice. Fundoscopic observation revealed hypopigmentation in the retina, and melanin contents in the eye were significantly reduced when compared with other inbred strains. Insertion in the rd1 allele was confirmed and a nonsense mutation of Pde6b^rd1 gene was determined in NC/Tnd mice.

Conclusions: NC/Tnd mice also preserve the Pde6b^rd1 gene mutation resulting in the rapid postnatal retinal degeneration similar to that in C3H/HeN mice. Unlike C3H/HeN mice, since melanin contents of the retina in NC/Tnd mice was decreased, unknown defects may be present in the process of melanin composition in retinal pigment epithelial cells during fetal development of NC/Tnd mice.