The influence of the athymic mutation nude on the components of the circadian rhythm of activity in mice

Chronobiol Int. 1990;7(5-6):371-6. doi: 10.3109/07420529009059147.

Abstract

The mutation known as nude brings about the lack of a thymus gland in mice. This immunodeficiency akes it possible to graft normally unaccepted, human cancerous tumors onto the mouse. Consequently, this animal is frequently used as a model for evaluating anti-cancer therapies. The effect of this mutation on biological rhythms constitutes a necessary step before using this model for cancer chronotherapy research. We evaluated the circadian and ultradian components of the rest-activity cycle in the following strains of mice: C57BL/6 with homozygous nu/nu, heterozygous nu/+, thymectomised +/+, and sham-operated +/+. The amount of activity was reduced in nu/nu as compared to the other groups. Nonetheless, neither the nude mutation nor thymectomy yielded any notable change in the circadian rhythm of activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activity Cycles
  • Animals
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Female
  • Heterozygote
  • Homozygote
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Nude / genetics
  • Mice, Nude / physiology*
  • Motor Activity
  • Mutation
  • Thymectomy