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Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats
Published on: October 13, 2018
Two high-fertility mouse lines show differences in component fertility traits after long-term selection
Marion Spitschak1, Martina Langhammer, Falk Schneider
1Forschungsbereich Molekularbiologie, Forschungsinstitut für die Biologie landwirtschaftlicher Nutztiere (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, Dummerstorf, Germany.
Reproduction, Fertility, and Development
|September 28, 2007
Summary
Long-term selection significantly increased litter size in high-fertility mouse lines FL1 and FL2. Increased ovulation number drove prolificacy, but differing ova shedding and loss rates suggest distinct genetic factors in each line.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Reproductive Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Investigating long-term selection effects on fertility in polytocous species.
- Utilizing high-fertility mouse lines (FL1, FL2) and a control (Fzt:DU) from a common genetic pool.
- Analyzing component traits influencing reproductive performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- Elucidate the impact of sustained selection on fertility.
- Identify specific traits contributing to enhanced litter size.
- Understand the genetic underpinnings of high prolificacy.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of three mouse lines (FL1, FL2, Fzt:DU).
- Assessment of fertility traits across oestrous cycle and pregnancy stages.
- Evaluation of ovulation number, ova shedding, and conceptus loss rates.
Main Results:
- FL1 and FL2 lines showed significantly increased litter sizes (17.3 and 18.7 pups) compared to control (11.0 pups).
- Early embryonic development was accelerated in selected lines.
- High prolificacy was primarily linked to increased ovulation number (corpora lutea).
Conclusions:
- Accelerated embryonic development observed in high-fertility lines.
- Plasma progesterone levels did not correlate with fertility outcomes.
- Distinct patterns of ova shedding and conceptus loss in FL1 and FL2 suggest unique genetic mechanisms for high fertility.
