title: Genetic background determines metabolic phenotypes in the mouse.
abstract: To evaluate the contribution of genetic background to phenotypic variation, we compared a large range of biochemical and metabolic parameters at different ages of four inbred mice strains, C57BL/6J, 129SvPas, C3HeB/FeJ, and Balb/cByJ. Our results demonstrate that important metabolic, hematologic, and biochemical differences exist between these different inbred strains. Most of these differences are gender independent and are maintained or accentuated throughout life. It is therefore imperative that the genetic background is carefully defined in phenotypic studies. Our results also argue that certain backgrounds are more suited to study a given physiologic phenomenon, as distinct mouse strains have a different propensity to develop particular biochemical, hematologic, and metabolic abnormalities. These genetic differences can furthermore be exploited to identify new genes/proteins that contribute to phenotypic abnormalities. The choice of the genetic background in which to generate and analyze genetically engineered mutant mice is important as it is, together with environmental factors, one of the most important contributors to the variability of phenotypic results.
authors.affiliation: Institut Clinique de la Souris, BP 10142, 67404, Illkirch Cedex, France. Marie-France.Champy@titus.u-strasbg.fr
authors.forename: Marie-France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Champy
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Selloum
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zeitler
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caradec
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rousseau
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pouilly
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sorg
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Auwerx
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001823:Body Composition / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics; D015519:Bone Density / Q000235:genetics; D004435:Eating / Q000235:genetics; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test / Q000662:veterinary; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D014508:Urea; D007501:Iron