Genetic Influence on Response to Dietary Manganese Deficiency in Mice

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Abstract
The influence of the genetic background of mice on their response to manganese deficiency during prenatal development was investigated. Inbred strains of mice were used in addition to a mutant, pallid, and a four-way hybrid cross. Mice whose mothers were fed a purified diet containing various levels of manganese from the beginning of pregnancy were used as breeding females and their offspring were examined at birth for degree of otolith development. The results clearly showed that the genetic constitution of the animals affected their response to dietary deficiencies of manganese. Although in all genetic groups (except the mutant) there was a normal development of otoliths when the diet contained the normal control level of manganese, the response to low levels of the element varied considerably among the strains. Litter size was also increased when otolith development was improved. The findings suggest that at low or borderline levels of dietary intake of essential nutrients the responses of individuals may vary greatly depending in part on their genetic background.