The Diversity Outbred (J:DO) stock is a new heterogeneous, highly diverse mouse resource designed for complex trait analysis and toxicology studies as well as to facilitate rapid mapping with single gene resolution. This stock was derived from crossing partially-inbred Collaborative Cross strains, which are a mixture of eight genetically well-defined JAX® Mice inbred strains, including three wild-derived. Subsequent maintenance follows a randomized outcross non-sibling mating scheme to retain maximum genetic diversity. Each Diversity Outbred mouse is genetically unique, representing a novel combination of alleles present in the founder strains. To determine the extent to which this genetic variation leads to phenotypic variation, over 50 metabolic measurements including plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides, cholesterol, and body composition were collected, under both standard chow and high fat diet conditions. The Diversity Outbred animals displayed a wide spectrum of metabolic phenotypes, home cage nesting behavior and aggressiveness. Mouse-to-mouse variation is demonstrated by fold-differences in plasma triglycerides and creatine kinase levels, both as high as 11–12. Plasma glucose, free fatty acids, thyroxine, and percentage of fat all showed differences of 3-fold or greater. These fold-changes are comparable to the variation among unique inbred mouse strains, and mimic the diversity within human populations. The J:DO stock represents a new powerful tool for rapid gene mapping, toxicology/pharmacogenomic screens and compound evaluation for a wide variety of human diseases, including cancer and metabolic diseases.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B10.