Role of H-2 and non-H-2 genes in the control of blood magnesium levels.

Red blood cell (RBC) and plasma (P) magnesium levels have been determined in 372 male mice of 13 inbred and H-2 congenic strains with C3H or B10 genetic backgrounds. Several groups of individuals belonging to the same strains have been tested at various times over a 2-year period to verify the results. Time and interstrain variations are highly significant for both RBC and P Mg. Statistical analyses made either with or without corrections for the time effect show that the largest variations are due to the genetic background (P less than 10(-10) ), the effect of the H-2 complex being smaller but nevertheless highly significant (P less than 10(-4) to 10(-6) ), except for the RBC Mg of the strains with B10 background. These findings can be compared with those previously obtained in man, and they demonstrate the high heritability of blood Mg concentration and its association with the major histocompatibility complex or with closely linked genes.