ABROGATION OF DOMINANT GLUCOSE-INTOLERANCE IN SJL MICE BY A GROWTH-HORMONE TRANSGENE

Glucose tolerance was studied in transgenic mice (SJL x C57BL/6) expressing human GH under the control of a housekeeping promoter. Parental SJL mice were found to harbour a dominant allele, termed here gli(d), determining glucose intolerance in pure-bred animals and in F1 hybrids with glucose-tolerant C57BL/6 mice. Blood glucose levels in transgenic SJL x C57BL/6 hybrid mice were well controlled following glucose challenge, whereas non-transgenic hybrids failed to control their glucose adequately. Pancreatic morphology was normal in all animals. In confirmation of a physiological role for GH in glucose regulation, GH-deficient lit/lit mice were pathologically sensitive to glucose.