Changed sex ratio in BB rat offspring

Abstract

We have found that the offspring of the spontaneously diabetic BB rat shows a lower (p : 0.008) male ratio (43.9 0/0) than do other rat strains (50.5 %). The lower number of males is seen both at day seven after birth and at weaning. Further we have seen a reduced litter size in the inbred BB rat compared to other rat strains.
The reason for the unequal sex ratio in the BB rat is unknown but is discussed in View of the versatile autoimmune capacity of the BB rat.