Analysis of quantitative trait loci for behavioral laterality in mice.
Laterality is believed to have genetic components, as has been deduced from family studies in humans and responses to artificial selection in mice, but these genetic components are unknown and the underlying physiological mechanisms are still a subject of dispute. We measured direction of laterality (preferential use of left or right paws) and degree of laterality (absolute difference between the use of left and right paws) in C57BL/6ByJ (B) and NZB/BlNJ (N) mice and in their F(1) and F(2) intercrosses. Measurements were taken of both forepaws and hind paws. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) did not emerge for direction but did for degree of laterality. One QTL for forepaw (LOD score = 5.6) and the second QTL for hind paw (LOD score = 7.2) were both located on chromosome 4 and their peaks were within the same confidence interval. A QTL for plasma luteinizing hormone concentration was also found in the confidence interval of these two QTL. These results suggest that the physiological mechanisms underlying degree of laterality react to gonadal steroids.
Roubertoux
Pierre L
PL
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Neurosciences Physiologiques et Cognitives, INPC.CNRS, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France. rouber@lnf.cnrs-mrs.fr
Le Roy
Isabelle
I
Tordjman
Sylvie
S
Cherfou
Améziane
A
Migliore-Samour
Danièle
D
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000235:genetics*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci
D007986:Luteinizing Hormone