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In silico QTL mapping of maternal nurturing ability with the mouse diversity panel
1USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030-2600, USA. dhadsell@bcm.edu
Physiological Genomics
|July 5, 2012
Summary
This study identifies novel genes linked to maternal nurturing ability in mice using in silico quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping. These findings advance our understanding of lactation performance and genetic factors influencing maternal care.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Animal Science
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Maternal nurturing ability in inbred mice shows significant variation.
- Classical mapping identified quantitative trait loci (QTL) but not specific genes for this variation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map genomic regions associated with maternal lactation performance variation in mice.
- To identify candidate genes influencing milk production and maternal care.
Main Methods:
- Lactation performance data from 32 inbred mouse strains were analyzed.
- Cross-foster litters were used to assess average daily weight gain (ADG) and pup survival (PNUM8).
- In silico haplotype association analysis with Bonferroni correction was performed.
Main Results:
- 10 and 15 genomic associations were found for ADG and PNUM8, respectively, implicating 11 and 13 genes.
- Significant haplotype blocks on MMU 8, 11, and 19 contained genes Nr3c2, Egfr, Sec61g, and Gnaq.
- Associations on MMU9 for PNUM8 overlapped with the known maternal performance QTL, Neogq1.
Conclusions:
- In silico QTL mapping is effective for discovering novel candidate genes related to lactation capacity.
- Identified genes provide new targets for understanding the genetic basis of maternal behavior and milk production.
