Genetic control of the survival of murine trisomy 16 fetuses.

A mouse model that allows for the experimental induction of an aneuploid state has been employed to investigate the factors that control the survival of trisomy 16 fetuses. The prevalence of trisomy 16 fetuses on day 15 of gestation was shown to vary significantly with the genetic background of the female parent. The ability to spontaneously abort a trisomy 16 conceptus was shown to be higher in the mouse strain with a low prevalence of trisomy 16, compared to those mouse strains with a high prevalence of trisomy 16. Furthermore, the maternal ability that selects against, or promotes the survival of a trisomic conceptus was shown to be specific for the trisomy in question.