Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

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Inbred strains of mice typically have what characteristic regarding litter size?

  1. Smaller litters

  2. Larger litters

  3. Variable litter sizes

  4. Consistent litter sizes

The correct answer is: Smaller litters

Inbred strains of mice are characterized by their genetic uniformity due to breeding between closely related individuals over many generations. This uniformity can lead to smaller litter sizes compared to outbred strains. Inbred mice tend to reproduce less frequently and produce fewer offspring per litter, reflecting the potential complexities in their genetic backgrounds and reproductive biology. By contrast, outbred strains, which have greater genetic diversity, generally exhibit larger and more variable litter sizes due to enhanced adaptability and vigor. While some may assume that genetic uniformity could result in greater predictability in reproductive outcomes, the reality is that inbreeding often negatively impacts reproductive fitness, contributing to smaller litter sizes. Therefore, the correct answer highlights this trend where inbred strains produce smaller litters compared to their outbred counterparts.

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