PohnB6F1: a cross of wild and domestic mice that is a new model of extended female reproductive life span

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2007 Nov;62(11):1187-98. doi: 10.1093/gerona/62.11.1187.

Abstract

In the search for novel genetic diversity that affects the timing of life history traits, we investigated a wild-derived stock of mice (Pohn). Early generations showed extended reproductive life span; however, this phenotype diminished with propagation of the stock. Out-crossing latter generation Pohn mice to C57BL/6J (B6) mice produced PohnB6F1 hybrids with remarkably extended reproductive life spans-mean age at last litter of 647 +/- 32 days-longer than for the parental strains (70% longer than Pohn, 88% longer than B6) and longer than for highly heterogeneous crosses of laboratory mice. Litter size among young PohnB6F1 adults was similar to parental stocks, but their age-related decline in litter size was delayed by 150-200 days, resembling the earlier Pohn generations. Possibly, out-crossing Pohn mice unmasked cryptic alleles that promote extended female reproduction. This work establishes the PohnB6F1 hybrid as a new model for delayed reproductive aging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Animals, Laboratory
  • Animals, Wild
  • Body Weight
  • Crosses, Genetic*
  • Female
  • Litter Size
  • Longevity / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred Strains / genetics*
  • Oocytes
  • Phenotype
  • Reproduction / physiology*
  • Selection, Genetic
  • Sexual Maturation / genetics*