Marker-assisted introgression of trypanotolerance QTL in mice

A marker-assisted introgression (MAI) experiment was conducted to use genetic markers to transfer each of the three trypanotolerance QTL from a donor mouse strain, C57BL/6, into a recipient mouse strain, A/J. We used a backcross strategy that consisted of selecting two lines, each carrying two of the donor QTL alleles through the backcross (BC) phase. At the fourth BC generation, single-carrier animals were selected for the production of homozygous animal in the intercross phase. The QTL regions (QTLR) were located on chromosomes MMU1, MMU5, and MMU17. Groups of mice with different genotypes and the parental lines were subjected to a challenge with Trypanosoma congolense. The results show that trypanotolerance QTL was successfully moved into the recipient background genotype, yielding a longer survival time. The mean estimated survival time was 57.9, 49.5, and 46.8 days for groups of mice carrying the donor QTL on MMU1, MMU5, and MMU17 on A/J background. The mean estimated survival time was 29.7 days for the susceptible A/J line and 68.8 days for the resistant C57BL/6 line. The estimated QTLR effects are close to 30% smaller than those in the original mapping population which was likely caused by the difference in the background on which the effects of QTLR are tested. This is the first report of successful marker-assisted introgression of QTL in animals. It is experimental proof of the use of genetic markers for marker-assisted introgression in animal breeding.