Food intake,water intake,and drinking spout side preference of 28 mouse strains

Male mice from 28 inbred strains (129P3/J, A/J, AKR/J, BALB/cByJ, BUB/BnJ, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, C57L/J, CAST/Ei, CBA/J, CE/J, DBA/2J, FVB/NJ, I/LnJ, KK/HlJ, LP/J, NOD/LtJ, NZB/BlNJ, P/J, PL/J, RBF/DnJ, RF/J, RIIIS/J, SEA/GnJ, SJL/J, SM/J, SPRET/Ei, and SWR/J) were fed chow and had access to two water bottles. Body weight, food intake, water intake, and drinking spout side preference were measured. There were large strain differences in all the measures collected, with at least a two-fold difference between strains with the lowest and the highest trait values. Estimates of heritability ranged from 0.36 (spout side preference) to 0.87 (body weight). Body weight, food intake, and water intake were interrelated among the strains, although substantial strain variation in food and water intakes independent from body weight was present. The strain differences described here provide useful information for designing mutagenesis screens and choosing strains for genetic mapping studies.     

Voluntary Sodium Chloride Consumption by Mice: Differences Among Five Inbred Strains

We examined voluntary NaCl intakes of five mouse strains: NZB/B1NJ, SM/J, 129/J, C57BL/6ByJ, and CBA/J. Using two-bottle tests with water as one choice, the mice were offered series of progressively increasing or progressively decreasing NaCl concentrations (37.5–600 mMNaCl in 48-h tests), then 300 mMNaCl for 6 days and 75 mMNaCl for 8 days. Low concentrations of NaCl were more avidly accepted by mice given the increasing rather than the decreasing series. However, irrespective of the test order, test duration, or how the results were expressed (i.e., as raw intakes, intakes corrected for body weights, or preferences), the NZB/B1NJ mice always had higher NaCl acceptance than did the CBA/J mice. The SM/J, 129/J, and C57BL/6ByJ strains were intermediate between the NZB/B1NJ and the CBA/J strains, but their distributions varied from concentration to concentration. Low (150 mM) NaCl concentrations were avoided by the C57BL/6ByJ and CBA/J mice, but the NZB/B1NJ, SM/J and 129/J mice either preferred or were indifferent to them. High (300 mM) NaCl concentrations were strongly avoided by all mice, except for the NZB/B1NJ strain. It is suggested that separate genes underlie the strain differences in acceptance of dilute and concentrated NaCl solutions.     

Forty mouse strain survey of water and sodium intake

We measured voluntary water and sodium intakes of 40 inbred strains of mice. Groups of approximately 10 males and approximately 10 females from each strain received a series of 48-h tests with a choice between a bottle of water and a bottle of one of the following: water, 25, 75, and 225 mM NaCl, 25, 75, and 225 sodium lactate. Sodium solution intakes were influenced by strain, sex, anion and concentration: Nine strains drank significantly more chloride than lactate, and only one strain (I/LnJ) drank significantly more lactate than chloride. The other 30 strains drank similar volumes of chloride and lactate. Sodium intakes were higher in females than males of 8 strains and did not differ by sex in the other 32 strains. Some strains had consistently high sodium intakes and preferred all sodium solutions to water (129S1/SvImJ, MA/MyJ, NZW/LacJ and SWR/J), some showed indifference (i.e. preferences not significantly different from 50%) to all concentrations tested (A/J, C57BL/6J, FVB/NJ and SEA/GnJ), and some had consistently low sodium intakes (AKR/J, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/10J, CBA/J, DBA/2J, I/LnJ, JF1/Ms, LP/J, NON/LtJ, PERA/EiJ, PL/J, and RIIIS/J). The results illustrate the diversity of voluntary sodium intake in mice and will assist in the selection of appropriate strains for focused genetic and physiological analyses.     

Forty mouse strain survey of voluntary calcium intake, blood calcium, and bone mineral content

We measured voluntary calcium intake, blood calcium, and bone mineral content of male and female mice from 40 inbred strains. Calcium intakes were assessed using 48-h two-bottle tests with a choice between water and one of the following: water, 7.5, 25, and 75 mM CaCl(2), then 7.5, 25, and 75 mM calcium lactate (CaLa). Intakes were affected by strain, sex, anion, and concentration. In 11 strains females consumed more calcium than did males and in the remaining 29 strains there were no sex differences. Nine strains drank more CaLa than CaCl(2) whereas only one strain (JF1/Ms) drank more CaCl(2) than CaLa. Some strains had consistently high calcium intakes and preferred all calcium solutions relative to water (e.g., PWK/PhJ, BTBR T(+)tf/J, JF1/Ms). Others had consistently low calcium intakes and avoided all calcium solutions relative to water (e.g., KK/H1J, C57BL/10J, CE/J, C58/J). After behavioral tests, blood was sampled and assayed for pH, ionized calcium concentration, and plasma total calcium concentration. Bone mineral density and content were assessed by DEXA. There were no significant correlations between any of these physiological measures and calcium intake. However, strains of mice that had the highest calcium intakes generally fell at the extremes of the physiological distributions. We conclude that the avidity for calcium is determined by different genetic architecture and thus different physiological mechanisms in different strains.     

Ozone-induced acute pulmonary injury in inbred mouse strains

To determine if host factors influence the time course and extent of lung injury after acute inhalation of ozone (O3), we evaluated the physiologic and biologic response of nine genetically diverse inbred strains of mice (C57BL/6J, 129/SvIm, BTBR, BALB/cJ, DBA/2J, A/J, FVB/NJ, CAST/Ei, and C3H/HeJ) exposed to O3 (2.0 ppm x 3 h). Whole lung lavage determined that 129/Svlm, BTBR, DBA/2J, and FVB/NJ had a peak increase in polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) at 6 h, whereas C57BL/6J and CAST/Ei had a peak increase at 24 h after exposure; airway PMNs were minimally elevated in A/J and C3H/HeJ; BALB/cJ had a predominant lymphocytic influx. Interleukin-6 concentration in the lavage fluid was associated with the influx of PMNs, whereas the total protein in the lavage fluid did not always correlate with lavage cellularity. Respiratory responses were monitored using whole body plethysmography and enhanced pause index. C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ, 129/SvIm, and BTBR were highly sensitive to O3 and exhibited significant increases in enhanced pause to methacholine aerosol stimulation at 6 and 24 h after exposure to O3. In contrast, DBA/2J, A/J, FVB/NJ, CAST/Ei, and C3H/HeJ strains had demonstrated increases in sensitivity to MCh at 6 h after exposure, but responses had returned to near baseline by 24 h after exposure to O3. Epithelial cell proliferation as assessed by proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining was evident at 24 h after exposure to O3. C57BL/6J and A/J showed 4% proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells; 129/SvIm, DBA/2J, and FVB/NJ had 1-3%; and BTBR, BALB/cJ, CAST/Ei, and C3H/HeJ had < 1%. Phenotypic measurements in six inbred strains were used for an in silico genome analysis based on the Roche mouse database. Consistent loci on chromosomes 1, 7, and 15 were among those identified to have a significant association with the phenotypes studied. In aggregate, our approach has identified O3-resistant (C3H/HeJ and A/J) and -vulnerable (C57BL/6J and 129/SvIm) strains of mice, and determined novel genomic loci, suggesting a clear genetic basis for the lung response to inhaled O3.     

Voluntary ethanol consumption by mice: genome-wide analysis of quantitative trait loci and their interactions in a C57BL/6ByJ x 129P3/J F2 intercross

Consumption of ethanol solutions by rodents in two-bottle choice tests is a model to study human alcohol intake. Mice of the C57BL/6ByJ strain have higher ethanol preferences and intakes than do mice of the 129P3/J strain. F2 hybrids between these two strains were phenotyped using two-bottle tests involving a choice between water and either 3% or 10% ethanol. High ethanol preferences and intakes of the B6 mice were inherited as additive or dominant traits in the F2 generation. A genome screen using these F2 mice identified three significant linkages. Two loci, on distal chromosome 4 (Ap3q) and proximal chromosome 7 (Ap7q), strongly affected 10% ethanol intake and weakly affected 3% ethanol intake. A male-specific locus on proximal chromosome 8 (Ap8q) affected 3% ethanol preference, but not indexes of 10% ethanol consumption. In addition, six suggestive linkages (on chromosomes 2, 9, 12, 13, 17, and 18) affecting indexes of 3% and/or 10% ethanol consumption were detected. The loci with significant and suggestive linkages accounted for 35-44% of the genetic variation in ethanol consumption phenotypes. No additive-by-additive epistatic interactions were detected for the primary loci with significant and suggestive linkages. However, there were a few modifiers of the primary linkages and a number of interactions among unlinked loci. This demonstrates a significant role of the genetic background in the variation of ethanol consumption.     

Strain differences in sleep patterns of healthy and influenza-infected inbred mice

Influenza-infected C57BL/6J and BALB/cByJ mice respectively develop increased slow-wave sleep (SWS) during the dark phase and reduced SWS during the light phase of the 24 hour circadian cycle. To determine whether similar or alternative variations in SWS develop after influenza infection in other inbred strains of mice, we characterized the sleep patterns of additional strains both before and after influenza infection. Three strains (A/J, BALB/cByJ, and C3H/HeJ) showed light-phase SWS suppression, two strains (C57BL/6J and DBA/2J) showed dark-phase SWS enhancement, and one strain (A/J) showed dark-phase SWS suppression. Three strains (AKR/J, C57BR/cdJ, and FVB/NJ) did not show significant changes in SWS time on day two post-inoculation. Core temperatures were correlated to change in SWS time after infection, but were not correlated to SWS during the baseline period. These data support and expand the existing literature that indicates genetic modulation of sleep both in healthy mice and in mice undergoing viral infection.     

Strain differences in sucrose- and fructose-conditioned flavor preferences in mice

Genetic factors strongly influence the intake and preference for sugar and saccharin solutions in inbred mouse strains. The present study determined if genetic variance also influences the learned preferences for flavors added to sugar solutions. Conditioned flavor preferences (CFPs) are produced in rodents by adding a flavor (CS+) to a sugar solution and a different flavor (CS-) to a saccharin solution (CS-) in one-bottle training trials; the CS+ is subsequently preferred to the CS- when both are presented in saccharin solutions in two-bottle tests. With some sugars (e.g., sucrose), flavor preferences are reinforced by both sweet taste and post-oral nutrient effects, whereas with other sugars (e.g., fructose), sweet taste is the primary reinforcer. Sucrose and fructose were used in three experiments to condition flavor preferences in one outbred (CD-1) and eight inbred strains which have "sensitive" (SWR/J, SJL/J, C57BL/10J, C57BL/6J) or "sub-sensitive" (DBA/2J, BALB/cJ, C3H/HeJ, 129P3/J) sweet taste receptors (T1R2/T1R3). Food-restricted mice of each strain were trained (1 h/day) to drink flavored 16% sucrose (CS+ 16S, Experiment 1), 16% fructose (CS+ 16F, Experiment 2) or 8% fructose+0.2% saccharin (CS+ 8F, Experiment 3) solutions on five alternate days and a differently flavored saccharin solution (0.05% or 0.2%, CS-) on the other five alternating days. The CS+ and CS- flavors were presented in 0.2% saccharin for two-bottle testing over six days. All strains preferred the CS+ 16S to CS- although there were significant strain differences in the magnitude and persistence of the sucrose preference. The strains also differed in the magnitude and persistence of preferences for the CS+ 16F and CS+ 8F flavors over the CS- with two strains failing to prefer the fructose-paired flavors. Sucrose conditioned stronger preferences than did fructose which is attributed to differences in the taste and post-oral actions of the sugars. These differential training intakes may not have influenced the sucrose-CFP because of the post-oral reinforcing actions of sucrose. Overall, sweet sensitive and sub-sensitive mice did not differ in sucrose-CFP, but unexpectedly, the sub-sensitive mice displayed stronger fructose-CFP. This may be related to differential training intakes of CS+ and CS- solutions: sweet sensitive mice consumed more CS- than CS+ during training while sub-sensitive mice consumed more CS+.     

Lack of strain differences in spatial learning among seizure-prone and seizure-resistant mice

Learning rates were examined in the following inbred mice strains: DBA/2, C3H/He, C57Bl/6J, El, and ddY. DBA/2 mice become susceptible to audiogenic seizures after 2–3 weeks of age and El mice have generalized seizures in response to handling after 3 months of age, but the remaining three strains do not develop seizures. In this study, mice from all five strains underwent 32 training trials in a Morris water maze at 7–9 weeks of age. The seizure-prone DBA/2 and El mice, along with the nonepileptic ddY and C57Bl/6J mice, exhibited learning at similar rates, but the nonepileptic C3H/He mice were unable to learn the water maze task, probably due to visual difficulties. In the C57Bl/6J strain only, female mice learned the task significantly faster than males. There was no difference in the learning rate between the El strain and its parent ddY strain, or any correlation between spatial learning ability and kindling rates in these strains.     

Differential Effects of Infection with a Babesia-Like Piroplasm, WA1, in Inbred Mice

A newly identified intraerythrocytic Babesia-like organism, WA1, and its relatives were recently shown to be infectious for humans in the western United States. The purpose of the present study was to determine the susceptibilities of selected mouse genotypes to WA1 infection in an attempt to develop a murine model of the human disease. Several mouse strains were inoculated intraperitoneally with various passages of WA1-parasitized erythrocytes. Parasitemia was evaluated by blood smears and by PCR with blood samples collected at various intervals after inoculation. Hematologic parameters were monitored in blood samples at all intervals. C57BL/6 and C57BL/10 mice exhibited mortality rates of <10%. BALB/cJ, CBAJ, and 129/J mice had higher peak parasitemias than did C57BL mice, with mortality rates of 40, 50, and 50%, respectively. A/J, AKR/N, C3H, and DBA/1J mice also had higher peak parasitemia and mortality rates (>95%). An F₁ cross of C57BL/6 (resistant) and C3H.RKK (susceptible) mice had a mortality rate similar to that of the resistant parental strain. Histopathology of BALB/cJ and C3H mice at 9 and 14 days after inoculation revealed erythrophagocytosis and deposition of an iron-negative pigment in multiple organs. Morbidly ill C3H mice at 14 days had severe pulmonary edema, hemoglobinuria, and glomerulonephritis.     

Genetic correlation between open-field activity and defecation: Analysis with the CXB recombinant-inbred strains

Confirming previous investigations involving descendants of C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mouse strains, significant phenotypic, environmental, and genetic correlations (r=–0.53, –0.24, –0.92, respectively) were found between open-field activity and defecation in recombinant-inbred strains descended from a cross of C57BL/6By and BALB/cBy strains. These correlations were found to be dependent on the level of illumination in the open-field test. They were statistically significant in a brightly illuminated open field but statistically insignificant in a dimly illuminated test situation.This research was supported by NIH Grants HD 08187 and 9MMH 26962 to D. A. B.     

Habituation of Activity in an Open Field: A Survey of Inbred Strains and F1 Hybrids

To determine if there is genetic variability in habituation of activity in an open field, we examined a number of inbred strains and F₁ hybrids. Using 5-min exposures to a dark open field, we measured changes in exploratory behavior over 3 consecutive days in 129S3/SvImJ, A/J, BALB/ cByJ, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, CBA/J, DBA/2J, FVB/NJ, (B6 × 129)F1/J, and (B6 × C3H) F1/J male and female mice. Strain differences in open-field activity and in habituation were evident. Some of the strain differences were further modified by sex. The strains and F₁'s could be separated into groups that increased, decreased, or did not modify their activities across testing sessions. In a second study, the effects of altering the floor surface on habituation were examined in male 129S3/SvImJ, C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, and (B6 × 129)F1/J mice. When the floor was altered after 3 consecutive days of habituation, increased activity levels were evident. There were strain differences in the responsiveness to the changes in the floor. These results confirm a genetic role in intersession habituation to an open field.     

Nutrient preference and diet-induced adiposity in C57BL/6ByJ and 129P3/J mice

Purified carbohydrates and fats are usually palatable to humans and other animals, and their consumption often induces weight gain and accumulation of fat. In this study, we examined consumption of complex carbohydrates (cornstarch and Polycose) and fats (soybean oil and margarine) in mice from two inbred strains, C57BL/6ByJ and 129P3/J. At lower concentrations of liquid nutrients tested using two-bottle tests, when the amounts consumed had negligible energy content, the C57BL/6ByJ mice had higher acceptance of Polycose and soybean oil. This was probably due to strain differences in chemosensory perception of Polycose and oil. At higher concentrations, the mice consumed a substantial part of their daily energy from the macronutrient sources, however, there were no or only small strain differences in nutrient consumption. These small differences were probably due to strain variation in body size. The two strains also did not differ in chow intake. Despite similar energy intakes, access to the nutrients resulted in greater body weight (BW) gain in the C57BL/6ByJ mice than in the 129P3/J mice. The diet-induced weight gain was examined in detail in groups of 2-month-old C57BL/6ByJ and 129P3/J mice given ether chow, or chow and margarine to eat. Access to margarine did not increase total energy consumption of either strain. It increased BW and adiposity of the C57BL/6ByJ mice, but only after they reached the age of approximately 3 months. There were no differences in BW and adiposity between control and margarine-exposed 129P3/J mice. The results suggest that diet-induced adiposity in the B6 mice depends on age and does not depend on hyperphagia.     

Mapping segmental and sequence variations among laboratory mice using BAC array CGH

We used arrays of 2069 BACs (1303 nonredundant autosomal clones) to map sequence variation among Mus spretus (SPRET/Ei and SPRET/Glasgow) and Mus musculus (C3H/HeJ, BALB/cJ, 129/J, DBA/2J, NIH, FVB/N, and C57BL/6) strains. We identified 80 clones representing 74 autosomal loci of copy number variation (|log(2)ratio| >/= 0.4). These variant loci distinguish laboratory strains. By FISH mapping, we determined that 63 BACs mapped to a single site on C57BL/6J chromosomes, while 17 clones mapped to multiple chromosomes (n = 16) or multiple sites on one chromosome (n = 1). We also show that small ratio changes (Delta log(2)ratio approximately 0.1) distinguish homozygous and heterozygous regions of the genome in interspecific backcross mice, providing an efficient method for genotyping progeny of backcrosses.     

MPTP Susceptibility in the Mouse: Behavioral, Neurochemical, and Histological Analysis of Gender and Strain Differences

To investigate the impact of strain and sex in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) animal model of Parkinson's disease, C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice were treated with either systemic MPTP-HCl (4 × 15 mg/kg) or saline and were examined in a number of behavioral tests. Furthermore, neostriatal and ventral striatal monoamine contents were determined, and the numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunostained cells were counted in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. Open-field testing showed that locomotor activity was drastically reduced as an acute effect of MPTP in both strains; however, subsequent recovery to control levels was faster in BALB/c mice than in C57BL/6. Nest building also indicated strain-dependent effects, since it was delayed only in C57BL/6 mice treated with MPTP. The other tests (grip test, pole test, rotarod, elevated plus-maze), although partly sensitive for overall strain or gender differences, turned out not to be useful to compare MPTP effects in these two strains. Neurochemically, MPTP led to more severe neostriatal dopamine depletions in C57BL/6 (–85%) than in BALB/c mice (–58%). Histologically, a loss of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (–25%) was observed only in the substantia nigra of C57BL/6 animals. Thus, our analysis consistently showed that the C57BL/6 mouse strain is more susceptible to MPTP than the BALB/c strain. Sex differences in MPTP sensitivity were not observed in our mice. The implications of these findings for the search for genes related to susceptibility to neurodegeneration are discussed.     

Behavioural battery testing: Evaluation and behavioural outcomes in 8 inbred mouse strains

The use of large scale behavioural batteries for the discovery of novel genes underlying behavioural variation has considerable potential. Building a broad behavioural profile serves to better understand the complex interplay of overlapping genetic factors contributing to various paradigms, underpinning a systems biology approach. We devised a battery of tests to dissect and characterise the genetic bases of behavioural phenotypes, but firstly undertook to evaluate several aspects considered potentially confounding for mapping quantitative traits. These included investigating: individual versus sibling housing; testing at different times during the day; battery versus non-battery testing; and initial placement within the light-dark box. Furthermore, we assessed how behavioural profiles differed in our battery across 8 inbred strains. Overall, we found the behavioural battery was most sensitive to paired-housing effects, where weight and some measures in the open field, elevated plus maze and light-dark box differed significantly between sibling housed and singly housed mice. Few large effects were found for testing at different times of day and battery versus non-battery testing. Placement in the light-dark box influenced activity and duration measures, which profoundly affected the analysis outcome. Behavioural profiles across eight inbred strains (C57BL/6J, 129S1/SvImJ, A/J, BALB/cByJ, C3H/HeJ, DBA/2J, FVB/NJ, and SJL/J) demonstrated some robust strain ranking differences for measures in the open field and light-dark tests in our battery. However, some tests such as the elevated plus maze produced incongruous strain ranking effects across measures. The findings reported herein bear out the promise of behavioural batteries for mapping naturally occurring variation in mouse reference populations.     

Physiological function and behavioral genetics. I. Genetic variance for peripheral conduction velocity in mice

Individual differences for conduction velocity in the ventral and dorsal caudal nerves of 856 mice were assessed employing a rapid,in vivo procedure. Analysis of conduction velocity differences for mice of six inbred strains (A/J, BALB/cJ, CBA/J, C3H/HeJ, C57BL/6J, and DBA/1J) suggests that individual differences for conduction velocity are influenced by genetic differences. Animals of the BALB/cJ and CBA/J strains displayed significantly higher speeds of conduction than those of the C3H/HeJ and A/J strains. Conduction velocities for DBA/1J and C57BL/6J animals did not differ significantly from those of the other strains. Results of three studies allowing assessment of effects of strain, female and male parent, sex, and interactions among these factors support the findings of the strain comparison with regard to genetic variance for peripheral nerve conduction velocity. In addition, these studies indicate heterosis for fast speed of conduction. More detailed genetic analyses are in progress.This research was supported by NSF grant GU 2591 and NIH grant NS 09536.     

Effect of age on kainate-induced seizure severity and cell death

While the onset and extent of epilepsy increases in the aged population, the reasons for this increased incidence remain unexplored. The present study used two inbred strains of mice (C57BL/6J and FVB/NJ) to address the genetic control of age-dependent neurodegeneration by building upon previous experiments that have identified phenotypic differences in susceptibility to hippocampal seizure-induced cell death. We determined if seizure induction and seizure-induced cell death are affected differentially in young adult, mature, and aged male C57BL/6J and FVB/NJ mice administered the excitotoxin, kainic acid. Dose response testing was performed in three to four groups of male mice from each strain. Following kainate injections, mice were scored for seizure activity and brains from mice in each age group were processed for light microscopic histopathologic evaluation 7 days following kainate administration to evaluate the severity of seizure-induced brain damage. Irrespective of the dose of kainate administered or the age group examined, resistant strains of mice (C57BL/6J) continued to be resistant to seizure-induced cell death. In contrast, aged animals of the FVB/NJ strain were more vulnerable to the induction of behavioral seizures and associated neuropathology after systemic injection of kainic acid than young or middle-aged mice. Results from these studies suggest that the age-related increased susceptibility to the neurotoxic effects of seizure induction and seizure-induced injury is regulated in a strain-dependent manner, similar to previous observations in young adult mice.     

Strain differences in drinking in inbred mice during ad libitum feeding and food deprivation

Water intakes were measured in 7 mouse strains under 3 conditions of food availability: (a) ad lib feeding, (b) $\text{1}\text{3}\text{-}\text{normal}$ food intake, and (c) total food deprivation. Under ad lib feeding strains were ranked according to magnitude of water intake. These ranks were similar, but not identical, when absolute water intakes (ml) and relative (ml/100 g body wt) water intakes were measured. Statistically reliable, positive correlations were found between food intake and body weight, water intake and food intake, and water intake and body weight. Under the $\text{1}\text{3}\text{-}\text{food}$ condition, mean water intakes decreased significantly from ad lib feeding conditions in the BALB/cJ, A/J and C57BL/6J strains, did not change significantly in the SWR/J, CBA/J and DBA/2J strains and increased (food-deprivation polydipsia) in the C3H/HeJ strains. Results in 2 replications of total food deprivation parallelled those of $\text{1}\text{3}$ normal intake except that in the former condition DBA/2J mice showed a significant decrease in water intake. Food-deprivation polydipsia was seen in some individual SWR/J and CBA/J mice, as well as in the C3H/HeJ strain but was very rare in the other four strains.     

Histamine-releasing properties of mast cells from various strains of mice

A comparison has been made of thein vitro histamine releasing capacity of peritoneal mast cells from BALB/c, C₃H/A, C57BL/6J and CFW mouse strains in response to immunological and non-immunological stimuli namely antimouse IgE, Concanavalin A (Con A), ionophore A23187 and sodium fluoride. Anti-IgE-induced histamine secretion was highest in mast cells of CFW mice, intermediate in the cells of C57BL/6J and C₃H/A mice and lowest in the cells of BALB/c mice. Similar, although less pronounced, strain-dependent differences were observed in Con A-induced release. Mast cells of C57BL/6J and CFW mice were significantly more sensitive to the action of ionophore A23187 compared to the two other strains, although the cells of each strain responded in different manner. Sodium fluoride-induced histamine release occurred in two ways: from mast cells of BALB/c and C57BL/6J it was dose-dependent at NaF concentrations of 1–15 mM, whereas cells of the two other strains were insensitive to the action of NaF at concentrations of 1–5 mM but at a concentration of 7.5 mM, a very strong potentiation of release was observed. Our results suggest functional heterogeneity of mast cells from various strains of mice, a point to be considered in further studies of mast cell function.This work was supported by the Polish Academy of Sciences (Grant No. 10.5).