Genotype-dependent participation of coat color gene loci in the behavioral traits of laboratory mice

► The type of alleles at the individual agouti and albino loci could be identified by the methodology established in the present study. ► Novel exploratory activity was suppressed dependent on the frequency of the dominant wild-type allele at the agouti, but restricted to colored mice. ► Interplay of the albino and agouti loci should serve as basis for elucidation of the relationship between coat color phenotype and behavioral traits.