[Genetic influence on energy requirements. III. Multifactorial inheritance modified by gender].
A conversion index (CI) which measures the efficiency of utilization of dietary energy was found to be normally distributed in Wistar rats. The CI used was a ratio of the amount of food ingested to achieve an increment of one gram of body weight during the period of 32 days starting on day 21 after weaning. We have previously reported that male rats are more efficient energy converters than females. As a way to explore the hypothesis that the inheritance of the regulation of energy requirements is multifactorial, we mated F1 rats with high CI (poor energy converters) and studied the CI of their F2 offspring. The males behaved in agreement with the hypothesis as the F2 males had higher CI than the F1 males, but the behavior in females was different, i.e. the F2 were better converters than the F1. We have no explanation for this gender discrepancy.
Armendares
S
S
Instituto de Investigaciones Antropológicas, UNAM, México, DF.
Cravioto
J
J
Frías
M
M
Galván
F
F
D000818:Animals; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000235:genetics