A rat linkage map based on BC x LEW intercross.

A genetic linkage map consisting of 258 polymorphic loci has been constructed on the basis of an F2 intercross between the BC/CpbU and LEW/OlaHsd inbred rat strains. When compared to previously published maps a discrepancy was found for rat chromosome 7. The map spans a sex-averaged genetic length of 1790 cM and has an average marker spacing of 7.7 cM. It was estimated that this genetic map is linked to about 90% of the DNA in the rat genome. Because LEW/OlaHsd and BC/CpbU strains differ for dietary cholesterol susceptibility and hepatic copper content, the map is considered to be a valuable tool for studying the genetic background of these complex traits.