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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1187-1198 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2007 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Aging
- Geriatrics and Gerontology