No Evidence that Infection Alters Global Recombination Rate in House Mice

摘要: Recombination rate is a complex trait, with genetic and environmental factors shaping observed patterns of variation. Although recent studies have begun to unravel the basis recombination differences between organisms, less attention has focused on determinants crossover rates. Here, we test effect one ubiquitous pressure-bacterial infection-on global frequency in mammals. We applied MLH1 mapping assay rates male mice infected pathogenic bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, causative agent Lyme Disease, uninfected control animals. Despite ample statistical power identify biologically relevant animals, find no evidence for response bacterial infection. Moreover, broad-scale distribution, including number achiasmate bivalents, are not affected by infection status. pathogen exposure can plastically increase some species, our findings suggest that house may be resilient at least forms stress. This negative result motivates future experiments alternative mouse pathogens evaluate generality this conclusion.