C3H/HeJ and C3H/HeOuJ Mice Free of Exogenous MMTV
JAX® Bulletin #7
February 28, 2001
The C3H parent strain was developed from a mating of a Bagg albino female with a DBA male followed by selection for mammary tumors. This high tumor incidence resulted from exogenous mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) transmitted through the dam’s milk.
The Jackson Laboratory maintains four C3H substrains. C3HeB/FeJ and C3H/HeSnJ were both rederived approximately 40 years ago resulting in the elimination of exogenous MMTV virus. In 1999, both C3H/HeJ and C3H/HeOuJ substrains were rederived to improve the overall health status of our distribution colonies. Current plans do not include the reintroduction of exogenous virus.
These rederivations and specific genetic mutations present in certain C3H substrains have resulted in a significant delay in onset of mammary tumor development and decrease in tumor incidence in all four C3H substrains compared to C3H substrains harboring exogenous virus.
Please contact our Technical Information Services staff if you have further questions (tel 800-422-6423 or 207-288-5845, fax 207-288-6150).
