Genetic variation in offspring indirectly influences the quality of maternal behaviour in mice.

ABSTRACT: Conflict over parental investment between parent and offspring is predicted to lead to selection on genes expressed in offspring for traits influencing maternal investment, and on parentally expressed genes affecting offspring behaviour. However, the specific genetic variants that indirectly modify maternal or offspring behaviour remain largely unknown. Using a cross-fostered population of mice, we map maternal behaviour in genetically uniform mothers as a function of genetic variation in offspring and identify loci on offspring chromosomes 5 and 7 that modify maternal behaviour. Conversely, we found that genetic variation among mothers influences offspring development, independent of offspring genotype. Offspring solicitation and maternal behaviour show signs of coadaptation as they are n

SUBMITTER: Ashbrook DG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4758942 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature