Inheritance of a mitochondrial DNA defect and impaired glucose tolerance in BHE/Cdb rats

As they age, BHE/Cdb rats develop impaired glucose tolerance. We hypothesized that this intolerance is associated with a previously reported base substitution in the mitochondrial genome. A new screening test was devised to identify animals with the mutation. These animals were bred to animals without the mutation. The progeny were then tested for the presence of the mutation and their glucose tolerance at 100 and 300 days of age. Phenotype and genotype were found to be closely linked and we conclude that the mutation in the mitochondrial ATPase 6 gene explains the age related impaired glucose tolerance in BHE/Cdb rats.