Lien vers Pubmed [PMID] – 14559976
Physiol. Genomics 2003 Dec;16(1):82-9
Postoperative management of small and large bowel resections would be helped by use of intestinotrophic molecules. Here, we present a mouse inbred strain called PRM/Alf that is characterized by a selective intestinal lengthening. We show that PRM/Alf intestine is one-third longer compared with other inbred strains. The phenotype is acquired mostly during the postnatal period, before weaning. Its genetic determinism is polygenic, and involves a strong maternal effect. Cross-fostering experiments revealed that the dam’s genotype acts synergistically with the offspring’s genotype to confer the longest intestine. Moreover, genes in the offspring have a direct effect on intestine length. Possible involvement of milk growth factors and identification of candidate genes are discussed.