Activity rhythms in inbred mice. I. Genetic analysis with recombinant inbred strains

Rhythm of activity of inbred mice was recorded automatically by a set of actographs. This rhythm was characterized by six indices in the temporal and frequency domains. Two methods of genetic analysis were applied to these indices using parental strains BALB/c and C57BL/6, the reciprocal F₁'s, and the seven recombinant inbred strains (RI). Findings on the F₁'s show no maternal effect but indicate dominance and heterosis. The RI method successfully rejects the hypothesis of a monogentic correlate for all measures. In line with F₁ data, it demonstrates the presence of a polygenetic correlate: at least one other locus is involved in each of the six outcome parameters.This study was supported by CNRS (URA 1294, affilieé Inserm), MEN (UFR Biomédicale des Saints-Pères, Paris V), Foundation pour la Recherche Medicale.