(CByB6F1/J x C3D2F1/J)/J

Stock number: 036603
Product name: HET3
Strain synonyms: UM-HET3
Research areas: Research Tools

Description

HET3 (also called UM-HET3) mice are an established genetic diversity model for aging intervention studies, currently used by the NIA's Intervention Testing Program (ITP). HET3 mice are a genetically heterogeneous stock, produced by breeding CByB6F1/J and C3D2F1/J hybrids together.

HET3 mice are available up to 90 weeks of age. Select Product Type to see pricing for aged mice.

Detailed description

HET3 (also called UM-HET3) mice are a heterogenous stock produced by a four-way cross by breeding CByB6F1/J hybrid females and C3D2F1/J hybrid males together. HET3 mice are the first filial generation offspring of this cross. As such, HET3 mice have segregating alleles from the genetic backgrounds C57BL/6J, BALB/cByJ, C3H/HeJ, and DBA/2J. Each animal in the test population is genetically unique, but each shares half of its non-mitochondrial genome with every other test mouse. From this perspective, all the animals can be considered siblings. Due to this breeding scheme, the population-wide genetics of HET3 mice are reproducible and consistent.

HET3 mice are used as the model organism for the National Institute on Aging's Interventions Testing Program (ITP). The ITP was established to facilitate research by multiple laboratories on drugs that may modulate aspects of aging and increase healthy lifespan in mice. Program and method details for the ITP, as well as a list of publications, can be found at the links below:
NIA Interventions Testing Program
Publications from the NIA Interventions Testing Program

Lifespan data was collected over six consecutive annual cohorts (n=3,690) over 10 years across the three independent sites of the NIA ITP: The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), University of Michigan (UM), and University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT). Females have a longer and more consistent lifespan than males, similar to the human population.
As with all mouse strains, some location-specific environmental effects may be observed. For example, female mice at each site have very similar lifespans, ranging from 840 - 920 days. However, male mice at UM typically live 10% - 15% longer than males at JAX or UT; median survival for male controls at JAX and UT has ranged from 680 - 820 days, and median survival for UM males has ranged from 790 - 930 days.

Learn more about testing anti-aging interventions at JAX using HET3 and other mice here: Anti-aging Interventions

New to genetically diverse mouse models? Take our online mini-course to learn more about selecting and working with HET3 and other genetically diverse mice.

Development

CByB6F1/J mice (Stock No. 100009) are produced by breeding female BALB/cByJ with male C57BL/6J mice. C3D2F1/J (Stock No. 100004) are produced by breeding female C3H/HeJ with male DBA/2J. HET3 mice (Stock No. 036603) are produced by breeding CByB6F1/J (Stock No. 100009) females and C3D2F1/J (Stock No. 100004) males together. HET3 mice are the first filial generation offspring of this cross.