Genetic variance of laboratory outbred Swiss mice

Abstract

The extent of allelic variation has been estimated at 46 structural gene loci within three major colonies of Swiss mice and between inbred derivative strains. The colonies have retained nearly the same amount and type of variation found in natural murine or human populations despite laboratory propagation for more than 50 years (175 generations). The population genetic structures of the Swiss mouse colonies were comparable to an island population in which random fixation, and not inbreeding or population bottlenecks, is apparently responsible for slight losses in genetic variance.

Body temperatures of house mice artificially selected for high voluntary wheel-running behavior: repeatability and effect of genetic selection

“…As described in detail in Swallow et al (1998a), outbred, genetically variable Rice and O'Brien, 1980) laboratory house mice of the Hsd:ICR strain were purchased from Harlan Sprague Dawley in 1993. After two generations of random mating, mice were randomly paired and assigned to 8 closed lines (10 pairs in each).…”

Domain-specific and domain-general learning factors are expressed in genetically heterogeneous CD-1 mice

“…Estimates of genetic variation in this line have indicated that despite over 50 years of breeding they are very similar to wild mouse populations (Rice & O'Brien, 1980 with young adulthood. The mice were housed individually in clear shoebox cages in a temperature and humidity controlled colony room and were maintained on a 12 h light/dark cycle.…”

“…These mice are an outbred strain that was derived in 1926 from an original colony of non-inbred Swiss mice consisting of 2 males and 6 females. Estimates of genetic variation in this line have indicated that despite over 50 years of breeding they are very similar to wild mouse populations (Rice & O'Brien, 1980). For this study, 241 male, CD-1 mice were obtained from Harlan Sprague Dawley (Indianapolis, IN).…”

Tissue distribution and duration of mouse hepatitis virus in naturally infected immunocompetent ICR (CD-1) and immunodeficient athymic nude-nu mouse strains used for ovarian transplantation and in vitro fertilization

“…Mice and sample collection Barrier maintained Hsd:athymic nude-nu (Pantelouris 1968) and outbred Hsd:ICR (CD-1) (Rice & O'Brien 1980) mice were purchased from Harlan, Italy (S. Pietro al Natisone, Italy). CB6F1/J (BALB/cJ 3 C57BL/6J) hybrid mice were supplied by a CNR-IBC barrier facility (Monterotondo Scalo, Italy) and shipped in protective, ltered boxes, transported by climatecontrolled van and acclimatized for at least 3 days in the vivarium prior to use.…”