Anorexia, a recessive mutation causing starvation in preweanling mice

A new autosomal recessive lethal mutation in mice, anorexia (anx), located close to pallid (pa) on chromosome (chr) 2, is described. Mutant mice are characterized by growth failure, an emaciated appearance, and abnormal behavior including headweaving, body tremors, uncoordinated gait, and hyperactivity during the late preweanling period. Data suggest that the mutant mice are not ingesting the levels of nutrients necessary to sustain life. This mutation may provide an important tool for studying the neurobiology of suckling behavior in the preweanling animal.