Genetic control of blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

Genetic control of blood pressure in the SHR strain was studied by three separate experiments which consist of cross analysis between the SHR and Donryu, two-way selecton for high and low blood pressure levels, and successive backcrosses to the parental strains. The results obtained were as follows. 1. The data from genetic crosses between the SHR and Donryu showed the phenotype segregation ratio of 1:1 at the backcross and 1:2:1 at the F2 generation. 2. Two-way selection for high and low blood pressure levels was performed from the F2 generation onward. The separation between the two lines occurred immediately after the first selection. Thereafter, the difference increased gradually with generation. The blood pressure level at the seventh generation of selection became approximately equal to those of the parental strains. 3. Two types of the successive backcross were performed from the F1 hybrids by mating the males showing the highest blood pressure level to Donryu females and the females showing the lowest blood pressure level to SHR males on the other. Bimodality was observed in the distribution of blood pressure levels at each generation. Their phenotypic segregation ratios were accordant with 1:1 on the whole. At the intercross generation during successive backcrosses, a trimodal distribution was observed. 4. These results confirmed that the hypertensive trait of the SHR is regulated by a single major gene and other several genes with minor effect. A gene symbol ht was proposed for this major gene. Concurrently, a congenic strain having the ht gene on the genetic background of the Donryu was developed by the successive backcross system.