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Circadian period in mice: Analysis of genetic and maternal contributions to inbred strain differences

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Abstract

Differences of approximately 25 min in the free-running period of a circadian rhythm for wheel-running activity were observed among four inbred mouse strains (Mus musculus). Two sets of reciprocal hybrid crosses among the strains showed approximately intermediate values for circadian period in one cross and dominance for a short period in the other. Neither set of crosses showed evidence of significant maternal effects on circadian period. These results indicate that the inbred strain differences in circadian period are imposed primarily by direct effects of allelic differences among the strains, rather than through maternally mediated mechanisms.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant PDF-8166034.

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Possidente, B., Stephan, F.K. Circadian period in mice: Analysis of genetic and maternal contributions to inbred strain differences. Behav Genet 18, 109–117 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01067080

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01067080

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