QTL for body composition on chromosome 7 detected using a chromosome substitution mouse strain.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies in mice have detected quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on chromosome 7 that affect body composition. As a step toward identifying the responsible genes, we compared a chromosome 7 substitution strain C57BL/6J-Chr7(129S1/SvImJ)/Na (CSS-7) to its host (C57BL/6J) strain.


METHODS
Fourteen-week-old mice were measured for body size (weight, length), organ weight (brain, heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen), body and bone composition (fat and lean weight; bone area, mineral content, and density), and individual adipose depot weights (gonadal, retroperitoneal, mesenteric, inguinal, and subscapular). Differences between the CSS-7 strain and the host strain were interpreted as evidence for the presence of one or more QTLs on chromosome 7.


RESULTS
Using this criterion, we detected QTLs for body weight, bone area, bone mineral content, brain, and heart weight, most adipose depot weights and some indices of fatness. A few strain differences were more pronounced in males (e.g., most adiposity measures) and others were more pronounced in females (e.g., bone area). QTLs for body length, lean weight, bone mineral density, and kidney, spleen, and liver weight were not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
This study found several associations that suggest one or more QTLs specific to the weight of select tissues and organs exist on mouse chromosome 7. Because these loci are detectable on a fixed and uniform genetic background, they are reasonable targets for high-resolution mapping and gene identification using a congenic approach.
Reed
Danielle R
DR
reed@monell.org
McDaniel
Amanda H
AH
Avigdor
Mauricio
M
Bachmanov
Alexander A
AA
D050154:Adiposity / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000235:genetics*; D049628:Body Size / Q000235:genetics; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics; D002874:Chromosome Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D033481:Chromosomes, Mammalian / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci / Q000235:genetics*