Maternal and pup genotype contribution to growth in wild-type and tau mutant Syrian hamsters.
The single gene mutation tau in the Syrian hamster-apart from its effect on the circadian organization of locomotor activity--has a pronounced influence on body weight. In this study we investigate the impact of maternal and pup genotypes at the tau-locus on the growth rate of pups. Homozygous tau mutant hamsters (circadian period of 20 hours) had lower growth rates and adult body weights than wild-type hamsters, whereas heterozygous tau mutants (circadian period of 22 hours) were intermediate. In addition, heterozygous pups from heterozygous dams grew heavier than those from wild-type and homozygous dams. The effect of maternal genotype was further evaluated in a cross-foster design, where wild-type and homozygous mutant pups were fostered at birth to either wild-type or homozygous mutant dams. At all ages, the maternal tau genotype had a negative effect on body weight, whereas the pup tau genotype had a positive effect during the preweaning period and a negative effect afterward.
Oklejewicz
M
M
Zoological Laboratory, University of Groningen, Haren, The Netherlands. m.oklejewicz@biol.rug.nl
Pen
I
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Durieux
G C
GC
Daan
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006128:Growth / Q000235:genetics*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006720:Homozygote; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008647:Mesocricetus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*