Effect on Caries of Cross-breeding Caries-resistant and Caries-susceptible Rats

¹ Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan

A cross-breeding experiment was performed to test whether a caries-susceptible female rat determined the development of caries of its young when mated with a caries-resistant male. The reciprocal effect of mating caries-resistant females with caries-susceptible males was also determined. There was no difference in the caries experience of the progeny of the reciprocal matings. This clearly indicated that caries resistance is determined to a great extent by genetic factors in these rats and that both male and female parents contribute to this resistance. Under the conditions of this experiment, the phenotype of the mother, per se, was not a factor in determining the caries experience of her offspring.