Helpful hints for understanding hybrid strain nomenclature
To name F1 hybrids, the standard strain abbreviations listed above are used. The abbreviation of the female parent is listed first and the male parent second. Thus, B6D2F1/J mice are the offspring of a C57BL/6J female mated to a DBA/2J male, and D2B6F1/J mice are offspring of the reciprocal mating. Such reciprocal F1 hybrids differ in the Y Chromosome carried by the males and the maternally-derived mitochondrial genome, and they have been exposed to different maternal environments. Thus, reciprocal F1 hybrids should not be considered genetically identical.
For more details on hybrid nomenclature, consult the "Interactive tutorial on mouse nomenclature."
Standard Abbreviations Used in Hybrid Names
| Strain | Abbreviation | Strain | Abbreviation | |
| 129P3/J | 129P | C57L/J | L | |
| 129S1/SvImJ | 129S | CBA/CaGnLe | CBACa | |
| A/HeJ | AH3 | CBA/J | CBA | |
| A/J | A | C3H/HeJ | C3 | |
| AKR/J | AK | C3HeB/FeJ | C3Fe | |
| BALB/cByJ | CBy | DBA/1J | D1 | |
| BALB/cJ | C | DBA/2J | D2 | |
| C57BL | B | NZB/B1NJ | NZB | |
| C57BL/6J | B6 | NZW/LacJ | NZW | |
| C57BL/6JEi | B6Ei | RIIIS/J | R3 | |
| C57BL/10J | B10 | SJL/J | SJL or J | |
| C57BR/cdJ | BR | SWR/J | SW |
