A Strong Impact of Genetic Background on Gut Microflora in Mice

Figure 2

Effect of diet on ileum and colon histology at weaning and peak pathology by strain in GPx1/2-DKO mice. Mice on LabDiet or AIN diet were analyzed at 22 days of age or upon signs of morbidity, and at the peak of ileitis, which is 40 days for B6;129 or 129 N5 and 50 days for B6. 129 N10 mice were only analyzed at 22 days of age due to high morbidity. The AIN diet alleviated ileitis significantly in all strains at both 22 days of age and at peak inflammation (the “*” sign indicates $P<.011$). The ileal inflammation/pathology scores increased significantly from 22 days to peak of inflammation in all strains (${}_{}{}^{\#}P\mathrm{\hspace{0.17em}\hspace{0.17em}}<.034$). A diet-associated difference in colitis was only observed in 22-day-old 129 N10 pups $({}_{}{}^{*}P\mathrm{\hspace{0.17em}\hspace{0.17em}}<.001$).

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