A Single-Gene Antagonism Between Mother and Fetus in the Mouse. ∗

Abstract

Summary

A new type of maternal-fetal incompatibility, not involving erythroblastosis, is demonstrated by reciprocal matings in mice. The conditioning factor is a recessive mutant gene named “hair-loss.” Normal-hair progeny of hair-loss mothers are ordinarily born alive but suffer excessive mortality during first 2 weeks, even when fostered by normal mothers. The syndrome consists of inadequate lung inflation, inferior growth, and fragile bones. Mortality is very high when a previous litter was being raised by the mother during pregnancy, but seems otherwise not related to parity.