BALB/c mice are widely used in genetic, tumour and immunological studies. However, the mice demonstrate a lower reproduction rate, low fertility and small litters, because of their highly genetic homozygoisty. Based on in vitro fertilization (IVF), a routine technique for biomedical studies, it is worth to evaluate the effects to BALB/c mice on IVF efficiency. In order to test the genetic facto...

We have determined the in vitro host range of the cloned MO-21 and FL-1 murine myeloma retroviruses grown in SC-1 cells that were originally isolated from cloned MOPC-21 and FLOPC-1 BALB/c plasmacytoma cell lines. These viruses are able to replicate in murine (BALB/3T3, NIH/3T3) as well as numerous heterologous cell lines. These myeloma retroviruses also exhibit mink cell focus-inducing activit...

Parthenogenetically activated BCF1 and fertilized BALB/c embryos were aggregated to form chimaeras. The fate of the parthenogenetic component was followed in the conceptus during the second half of gestation. The results indicate an early strong selection against parthenogenetic cells in the extra-embryonal part, which is presumably complete by term, and a weaker selective process in the embryo...

Neonatal thymectomy (NTx) induces autoimmune gastritis (AIG) in BALB/c mice, a model for human type A chronic atrophic gastritis, but not in DBA/2 mice and rarely in CDF1 mice (a hybrid of BALB/c and DBA/2 mice). The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanisms of AIG-resistance in mice bearing the dominant trait of DBA/2. Linkage groups associated with, and cells related to AIG resistance w...

The mechanisms regulating resistance or susceptibility to African trypanosomes have been enigmatic. In this study, we assessed the production of several cytokines (IL-4, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha) in vivo and in vitro using genetically susceptible (BALB/c) or resistant (C57BL/6) mice infected with cloned Trypanosoma congolense and the role of these cytokines in pathogenesis of this infection. Pl...

Emotionally arousing experiences and stress influence cognitive processes and vice versa. Understanding the relations and interactions between these three systems forms the core of this study. We tested two inbred mouse strains (BALB/c, C57BL/6J; male; 3-month-old) for glucocorticoid stress system markers (expression of MR and GR mRNA and protein in hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex;...

The innate immune system is known to play an important role in oral tolerance to dietary antigens. This is important in development of celiac disease (CD) but may also be important in type 1 diabetes (T1D), and could potentially explain the reduced incidence of T1D in mice receiving a gluten-free (GF) diet. The direct in vivo effect of gluten on innate cells, and particularly dendritic cells (D...