Last modified on June 1, 2010
The Mouse Strain Difference Page
Click here to see common conditions with
lists of affected strains.
129
A
AKR
AXB
BALB/c
C3H
C57BL/6
C57BL/Ks
C58
CBA
CD1
DBA
ddy
FVB
NC
Nude
ICN
ICR
RF
SJL
Swiss
129 strains
In October 1998, the International Committee on Genetic Nomenclature for Mice
approved a new nomenclature for 129 strains, because there are differences
between the sublines. These changes affect strain designations for inbred 129
mice and all transgenics and mutants derived from them. Detailed information is
available at http://jaxmice.jax.org/html/nomenclature/nomen_129.shtml
{4181}
All 129 substrains are homozygous for white-bellied agouti allele of the
agouti (Aw) gene. Some substrains are not typical agouti color
because of various epistatic genes, such as albino (Tyrc),
pink-eyed dilution (p) or steel (Mgfsl).
The ES cells
of 129 mice are frequently used in the generation of targeted mutations. ES
cells are introduced into C57BL/6 blastocysts, which are chosen because they
have the black allele (a/a) at the agouti gene. The degree of
contribution by the ES cell can be estimated by visual examination of the
chimeric progeny for agouti color. Aw is dominant over a.
In the first backcross with C57BL/6, some mice will be Aw/a
if the ES cell contributed to the germline and will therefore be agouti.
However, only half of these agouti offspring will carry the targeted allele,
since the original ES cells were heterozygous. Other offspring in the first
backcross will be black (a/a), since some of the gametes from the chimera
will have been derived from the parent C57BL/6 mouse.{3740}
129P1/ReJ (formerly 129/ReJ){4181}
Inbred pink-eyed, light-bellied chinchilla mouse with gonadal
tumors such as testicular teratoma (5%), age-related hearing loss <3 months; used
for mutagenesis, transgenesis and knockouts{4181}.
The teratoma gene (ter) also causes extragonadal teratomas in some mice
generated from these mice's stem cells.{4182}
Separated from 129P3/J in 1948. Are large, docile mice{4184}.
Very susceptible to Sendai virus
due to mucociliary clearance, along with 129/J, Nude (Swiss), DBA/1J and
C3H/Bi.{3551}{4184}
129P3/J (formerly 129/J){4181}
Inbred pink-eyed light-bellied chinchilla, or albino, with
testicular teratoma (5%), low susceptibility to diet-induced atherosclerosis,
callosal agenesis, age-related hearing loss <3 months; often used for
mutagenesis and transgenesis and production of knockouts (targeted mutations){4181}.
Used for ovarian transfer and ova transfer studies. Only this strain and BALB/c
get suppurative conjunctivitis and ulcerative blepharitis. They tend to be poor
breeders with many missing litters, like to push shavings into sipper tubes and
flood the box, but the litters are of good size and they are gentle.{4184}
Very susceptible to Sendai virus
due to mucociliary clearance, along with 129/ReJ, Nude (Swiss), DBA/IJ and
C3H/Bi.{3551} Sendai virus kills DBA/2J and 129/J
mice.{3577}
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Very susceptible to mousepox,
dying acutely{3763}; Ectromelia is worse in A,
CBA,
DBA, C3H, BALB/c mice{3577}
Common tumors are mammary and
pulmonary (CL Davis 2001)
A/J
Albino mouse started in 1928 from cross with Bagg albino, with increased incidence
(50%) of pulmonary adenoma
(linked to the pulmonary adenoma susceptibility gene Pas1{4182})
and
late-onset mammary gland tumors, age-related hearing loss <3 months; used in
craniofacial and palate defect research due to congenital cleft palate.
Resistant to diet-induced atherosclerosis. Used for hybridoma production{4181}.
Older animals often have renal failure. They are gentle, very clean, males prone
to rectal prolapse, large litters, good breeders.{4184}
Resistant to MHV-3 after weaning; resistance is autosomal dominant trait{3551}
Administration of urethane (1gm/kg
IP) induces lung tumors in 10-12 weeks.{4590} A/J mice breathe more slowly, deeply and irregularly than C57BL/6 mice.{4733}
A/JCr
Helicobacter hepaticus and H. bilis :
aged A/JCr male mice have more hepatomas and hepatocellular carcinomas{3763};
the strain in general is more susceptible to hepatitis and subsequent liver
tumors.{4047}
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Resistant to
mousepox{3763}
Lactate dehydrogenase virus:
AKR, C58 mice are paralyzed{3577}, but
this turned out to be demyelination in previously retrovirus-infected animals{3763}{3551}.
Common tumor: leukemia (CL
Davis 2001)
AKR/J
Albino mouse used to study leukemia,
defects of adrenal cortex and hypothalamus/pituitary glands, and general
metabolism; low susceptibility to diet-induced atherosclerosis{4181}.
T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (thymic lymphoma) commonly causes death by 1 year
of age, and is attributed to the retrovirus AKV{4182}.
Sendai virus: Mice strains vary in susceptibility
to Sendai virus because of mucociliary clearance. Resistant strains include AKR/J, Swiss, C57BL/6J,
RF/J, and SJL/J{3551}
Spontaneous expression of ecotropic
retrovirus (Akv, a murine
leukemia virus) beginning at birth{4115}
and spontaneous thymic lymphoma{4162}
The portal vein runs along the ventral aspect of the
duodenum rather than the dorsal side, an anomaly called preduodenal portal
vein. In humans this condition is usually associated with situs inversus,
malrotation, dextrocardia, and anomalies of the pancreas, duodenum and biliary
system. In mice, however, the defect is autosomal recessive and is not
associated with the other anomalies.{4594}
Progenitors were
A/J and C57BL/6J; used for genetics research (gene mapping), inflammation (genes
regulating infectious disease and endotoxin susceptibility) and neurobiology
(genes regulating preference to alcohol and stress); many strains in
albino, black or brown{4181}
Helicobacter
hepaticus: These mice
(derived from A/JCr x C57Bl/6J) are used for studying the host response to
infectious agents, according to Fox{4047}. They found that 9 strains tested by
gavaging with Helicobacter hepaticus differed in their susceptibility
and response to the disease, and that hepatic neoplasia incidence was higher
than in A/JCr historical controls.
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Albino mice of several substrains
(including cByJ and cJ at Jax); increased incidence of late-onset mammary gland
tumors; neurodevelopmental defects (callosal agenesis); used to produce
monoclonal antibodies, myeloma and hybridoma, and is the background strain for
histocompatibility genetics studies. The BALB/cWtEi substrain has early
Y-chromosome nondisjunction resulting in hermaphroditism and sex chromosome
chimerism.{4181} Also has age-related
hearing loss and dystrophic cardiac calcification{4182}.
Letters stand for "Bagg albino". BALB/cJ are extremely aggressive,
while BALB/cByJ are much less so. although the strains differ at only 3 genetic
loci{4184}.
Helicobacter
felis: develop minimal inflammation{3845}
Borrelia
burgdorferi: intermediate susceptibility; C3H/He are most affected, C57BL/6
mildly{4015}
Salmonella
is worse in BALB/C, C57BL mice{3577}
Ectromelia is worse in A, CBA, DBA, C3H, BALB/c mice{3577}
MHV is worse in BALB/c, C57BL mice{3577}; BALB/c are better sentinels
Carry genes conferring resistance to encephalomyocarditis
virus by influencing interferon{4162}.
Dermatitis due to Myocoptes
musculinis occurs in BALB/c, but no dermatitis occurs in response to Myobia
musculi{4096}
Mouse parvovirus (MPV): High doses are needed to get a
measurable humoral response. C3H/HeN mice are good
responders; ICN, BALB/c and DBA/2 mice are pretty good; and C57BL/6 require high
doses and still they don't all seroconvert {4103}.
CBA
and C57BL mice have been reported to be less sensitive to morphine than DBA and
BALB{4138}.
Very sensitive to ether, along
with DBA/2 and C3H/He{4154}
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Note that the entire strain designation is important as there
are significant differences. C3HeB/FeJ does not carry MMTV{4184}. They are agouti and have
retinal degeneration (they are models for human retinitis pigmentosa) due to
homozygosity for the rd1 mutation of the gene Pdeb{4182}. They have
increased tumors (hepatomas, late-onset mammary gland). They are listed as
"general purpose" research tools.{4181}
Their bone mass is relatively high (c.f. C57BL/6). The strain was derived from
Bagg albino x DBA, and has the same predilection for dystrophic cardiac calcification{4182}.
Ectromelia is worse in A, CBA, DBA, C3H, BALB/c mice{3577};very susceptible to
mousepox,
dying acutely{3763}
C3H/Bi
Very susceptible to Sendai virus
due to mucociliary clearance, along with 129/J, Nude (Swiss), DBA/IJ{3551}.
C3H/He
C3H/HeJ mice have defective lipopolysaccharide responses that are not
found in C3H/HeN{4162}, due to
homozygosity for Lpsd mutation{4184}.
Transferred from Heston to Jax in 1948. Have low RBC and WBC. They are active
mice especially before 2 weeks of age; at 3 weeks they go blind. Females mature
as early as 25 days{4184}.
Helicobacter
felis: develop moderate inflammation{3845}
Borrelia
burgdorferi: this strain is the most affected; BALB/c are intermediate and C57BL/6 seem to be only mildly
affected{4015}
Mouse parvovirus (MPV): High doses are needed to get a
measurable humoral response. C3H/HeN mice are good
responders; ICN, BALB/c and DBA/2 mice are pretty good; and C57BL/6 require high
doses and still they don't all seroconvert {4103}.
Very sensitive to ether, along
with BALB/c and DBA/2{4154}
C3H/HeJ mice carry MMTV or Bittner agent, and
have a high incidence of mammary tumors{4182}
C3H/HeN
Common tumor: hepatocellular carcinoma (CL Davis
2001)
C3H/HeN mice are good
responders to MPV.{4103}
C3H/RV
Resistant to MHV-1, semi-susceptible to MHV-3{3551}
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Black mice with high
susceptibility to diet-induced atherosclerosis (the most susceptible of
all strains{4184}), obesity and diabetes. Have
old-age-related hearing loss ~12-18 months. Are a background strain for
histocompatibility congenics. C57BL/6J are also used for developmental biology
research (eye and skeletal defects), type II diabetes (NIDDM, diet-induced),
mutagenesis and transgenesis, behavioral and learning defects.{4181}
They have low bone mass (c.f. C3H which have high bone mass), ulcerative
dermatitis, pigmentation of the spleen, meninges, dura, and heart valves,
microphthalmia (up to 12% incidence, mostly in females), cataracts and other
ocular abnormalities, and hydrocephalus(1%){4182}.
They have a high preference for alcohol, morphine and other opioids. They are
good breeders but the females may die with their first litter; hydrocephalus at
4 weeks of age is common{4184}.
Lethal effects of ether: C57BL/6 most resistant,
followed by ICR. Sleep a long time under pentobarbital, second to DBA.{4154}
Helicobacter
felis: develop severe inflammation{3845}
C57BL/6J mice
are resistant to H. hepaticus-induced disease{4047}
Resistant to mousepox{3763};
in fact, this strain is the most resistant. H-2 and non-H-2 genes are
responsible; C57BL mice have a shorter period of virus transmission to the
lymphoreticular system, and females are more resistant than males to some
strains of virus{4162}.
Borrelia
burgdorferi: least affected; C3H/He are most susceptible, BALB/c
intermediate{4015}
Sendai virus: Mice strains
vary in susceptibility to Sendai virus because of mucociliary clearance;
resistant strains include AKR/J, Swiss, C57BL/6J, RF/J, and SJL/J{3551}.
In C57BL/6J mice, resistance is conferred by an autosomal dominant trait on
chromosome 1{4162}.
Salmonella
is worse in BALB/C, C57BL mice{3577}
MHV is worse
in BALB/C, C57BL mice{3577}
Dermatitis is
worse in C57BL/6 mice due to Myobia musculi{4096}
Mouse
parvovirus (MPV): High doses are needed to get a measurable humoral response.
C3H/HeN mice are good
responders; ICN, BALB/c and DBA/2 mice are pretty good; and C57BL/6 require high
doses and still they don't all seroconvert {4103}.
CBA
and C57BL mice have been reported to be less sensitive to morphine than DBA and
BALB{4138}. C57BL/6 mice breathe more shallowly, less deeply, and more regularly than A/J mice, both awake and under urethane anesthesia.{4733}
C57BL/6J
These mice,
when carrying the db or ob mutations, have high plasma insulin
and hypertrophied islets of Langerhans{4162}
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A
black mouse with NIDDM and age-related hearing loss <3 months. Used for
"general purposes", diabetes research, vestibular and hearing
defects.{4181} They have a
high frequency of malformed toes, polycystic kidneys and microphthalmia{4184}.
Mice
carrying the db or ob mutations on this background have
decreased plasma insulin and degenerated islets of Langerhans{4162}
Black mice with occasional white
spots on belly{4184}. Increased
incidence of leukemia{4181}, used in
genetics, immunology, molecular biology, oncology and virology.{4184}
Lactate
dehydrogenase virus: AKR, C58 mice are paralyzed{3577}, but
this turned out to be demyelination in previously retrovirus-infected animals{3763}{3551}.
Agouti mice with increased
incidence of hepatomas, lymphomas and late-onset mammary gland tumors. The CBA/J
substrain also has retinal degeneration and is used for research in retinitis
pigmentosa. Another strain (CBA/CaHN-Btkxid/J) is used to
study Bruton agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase{4181}
because of sex-linked immunodeficiency{4184}.
Obtained from a cross of Bagg albino x DBA in 1920. CBA/J is the only CBA
substrain carrying the Pdebrd1 allele for retinal
degeneration.{4184}
Ectromelia is worse in A, CBA, DBA, C3H, BALB/c
mice{3577}
CBA
and C57BL mice have been reported to be less sensitive to morphine than DBA and
BALB{4138}. CBA mice sleep a long time
under pentobarbital, second to DBA and C57Bl/6.{4154}
Dilute brown non-agouti mice used for
general purposes. See specifics for substrains.{4181}
Gets dystrophic calcification of the heart, kidneys, tongue, and other soft
tissues which maps to chromosome 7{4182}. The dilute coat color is due to mutation caused by integration of a retrovirus at the d locus.{4749}
Ectromelia is worse in A, CBA, DBA, C3H, BALB/c
mice{3577}
CBA
and C57BL mice have been reported to be less sensitive to morphine than DBA and
BALB{4138}. DBAs are more sensitive to
pentobarbital than other strains.{4154}
DBA/1
Susceptible to collagen-induced
arthritis{4181}. These are the oldest
inbred strains. Their name comes from Dilute Brown non-Agouti that were
developed by Little in 1909.They are extremely sensitive to audiogenic seizures,
and extreme intolerance to alcohol, morphine and opioids. Almost all retired
breeders will have calcareous deposits in the heart.{4184}
Very
susceptible to mousepox, dying acutely{3763}
DBA/1J very susceptible to Sendai virus
due to mucociliary clearance, along with 129/J, Nude (Swiss), and C3H/Bi.{3551}
DBA/2
Have audiogenic seizures when
young,
age-related hearing loss <3 months, hereditary glaucoma.{4181}{4182}
Extreme intolerance to alcohol, morphine and opioids, and calcareous heart
deposits. Unlike DBA/1J, they are C5 deficient{4184}.
Very
susceptible to mousepox, dying acutely{3763}
Theiler's
mouse encephalomyelitis is worse in CD-1 (NMRI), DBA/2, SJL, SWR mice{3577}
Mouse
parvovirus (MPV): High doses are needed to get a measurable humoral response.
C3H/HeN mice are good
responders; ICN, BALB/c and DBA/2 mice are pretty good; and C57BL/6 require high
doses and still they don't all seroconvert {4103}.
Susceptible to MHV-1, acute
death in adults{3551}
Very sensitive to ether, along
with BALB/c and C3H/He{4154}
Sleep much longer under pentobarbital than other
strains, and all male mice are more sensitive{4154}
Prone to audiogenic seizures{4177}
Sendai virus
kills DBA/2J and 129/J mice{3577}
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Mycoplasma pulmonis is worse in ddY mice; LEW rats{3577}
FVB/NJ
A fairly new strain from outbred
N:NIH Swiss outbreds. In 1966 mice were selected for histamine resistance and
homozygous Fv1b were inbred as strain FVB. They have large
litters and are calm, clean mice.{4184}
Has large pronuclei useful for microinjection{4184}.
NC/Jic and NC/Nga
Very
susceptible to dermatitis caused by Myobia musculi{4096}
Swiss
Very susceptible to Sendai virus
due to mucociliary clearance, along with 129/J, DBA/IJ and C3h/Bi.{3551}
Mouse parvovirus (MPV): High doses are needed to get a
measurable humoral response. C3H/HeN mice are good
responders; ICN, BALB/c and DBA/2 mice are pretty good; and C57BL/6 require high
doses and still they don't all seroconvert {4103}.
ICR (outbred)
Clostridium piliforme: BB, LE, SHR, Sprague-Dawley rats; ICR mice are
susceptible{3577}
Lethal effects of ether: C57BL/6 most resistant,
followed by ICR{4154}
An albino mouse with
increased incidence of leukemia{4181}.
Sendai virus: Mice strains vary in susceptibility
to Sendai virus because of mucociliary clearance. Resistant strains include AKR/J, Swiss, C57BL/6J,
RF/J, and SJL/J{3551}
An albino mouse with retinal degeneration (Pdebrd1). Increased incidence
(91%) of reticulum cell sarcoma resembling Hodgkin's disease. Predominant tumor
type is pre-B-cell lymphoma.{4184} Susceptible to experimental
allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE){4181}.
Males are extremely aggressive and females will have bite wounds.{4184}
Theiler's mouse encephalomyelitis is worse in CD-1 (NMRI),
DBA/2, SJL, SWR mice{3577}
Common tumors are reticulum cell sarcoma type B (CL Davis
2001)
SJL/J
Sendai virus: Mice strains vary in susceptibility
to Sendai virus because of mucociliary clearance. Resistant strains include AKR/J, Swiss, C57BL/6J,
RF/J, and SJL/J{3551}
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Albino mice with retinal degeneration. Increased incidence of
mammary tumors and lung tumors. Susceptible to experimental allergic
encephalomyelitis (EAE) and also used for general purposes{4181}.
Have the highest blood pressure of 19 Jax mice tested{4184}.
Mice strains vary in susceptibility
to Sendai virus because of mucociliary clearance; resistant strains include AKR/J, Swiss, C57BL/6J,
RF/J, and SJL/J{3551}
Theiler's mouse encephalomyelitis is worse in CD-1 (NMRI),
DBA/2, SJL, SWR mice{3577}.
One of the few inbred strains that does NOT carry an
endogenous retrovirus{4115}.
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| Condition |
Strains |
| Low bone mass |
C57BL/6 |
| Ulcerative dermatitis |
C57BL/6 |
| Pigmentation of internal organs |
pigmented strains |
| Age-related hearing loss |
C57BL/6
BALB/c
WB/ReJ |
| Hearing impairment |
129 strains
A/J
ALR/LtJ
ALS/LtJ
BUB/BnJ
C57BLKS/J
C57BR/cdJ
C57L/J
DBA/2J
I/LnJ
MA/MyJ
NOD/LtJ
NOR/LtJ
SKH2/J |
| Microphthalmia, cataracts, ocular abnormalities |
C57BL/6 and related |
| Hydrocephalus |
C57BL/6 and related |
| Ocular lesions, including glaucoma |
DBA/2J |
| Retinal degeneration or atrophy, blindness |
C3H/HeJ
CBA/J
SJL/J
SWR/J
FVB |
| Dystrophic cardiac calcification |
BALB/c
C3H
DBA |
| Teratoma |
Some 129 strains |
| Thymic lymphoma |
AKR
C58
CB17/scid/scid
scid/NOD |
| Pulmonary adenoma, carcinoma |
A/J |
| Hepatoma, hepatocellular carcinoma (Helicobacter) |
A/JCr males |
| Helicobacter felis inflammation |
C57BL/6 |
| Sendai virus |
129P3/J
C3H/Bi
DBA/1J
DBA/2J
Nude Swiss |
| Mousepox |
A
BALB/c
C3H
CBA
DBA/1 & DBA/2 |
| Theiler's mouse encephalitis (MEV) |
CD-1
DBA/2J
SJL/J
SWR |
| MHV |
BALB/c
C57BL/6
DBA/2J (MHV-1) |
| MPV |
C3H/He
DBA/2J |
| Borrelia burgdorferei |
C3H/He |
| Salmonella |
BALB/c
C57BL/6 |
| Mycoplasma pulmonis |
ddY |
For yet another tabulation of resistant and susceptible mouse
strains, click here.
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