Genetics, Vol. 163, 1023-1030, March 2003, Copyright © 2003

Analysis of Quantitative Trait Loci for Behavioral Laterality in Mice

Pierre L. Roubertouxa, Isabelle Le Royb, Sylvie Tordjmanc, Améziane Cherfoub, and Danièle Migliore-Samourb
a Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Neurosciences Physiologiques et Cognitives, INPC.CNRS, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France,
b Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Transgénose, 45071 Orléans Cedex 2, France
c Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and Université Paris VI, Vulnérabilité, Adaptation et Psychopathologie, 75013, Paris, France

Corresponding author: Pierre L. Roubertoux, INPC.CNRS, 31 Chemin Joseph-Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20, France., rouber{at}lnf.cnrs-mrs.fr (E-mail)

Communicating editor: J. B. WALSH

Laterality is believed to have genetic components, as has been deduced from family studies in humans and responses to artificial selection in mice, but these genetic components are unknown and the underlying physiological mechanisms are still a subject of dispute. We measured direction of laterality (preferential use of left or right paws) and degree of laterality (absolute difference between the use of left and right paws) in C57BL/6ByJ (B) and NZB/BlNJ (N) mice and in their F1 and F2 intercrosses. Measurements were taken of both forepaws and hind paws. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) did not emerge for direction but did for degree of laterality. One QTL for forepaw (LOD score = 5.6) and the second QTL for hind paw (LOD score = 7.2) were both located on chromosome 4 and their peaks were within the same confidence interval. A QTL for plasma luteinizing hormone concentration was also found in the confidence interval of these two QTL. These results suggest that the physiological mechanisms underlying degree of laterality react to gonadal steroids.