Genetic variation in plasma thyroxine levels and minimal metabolic rates of the mouse, Mus musculus

SUMMARY A study of inbred strains of the mouse using competitive protein-binding techniques revealed significant strain variation in the total plasma thyroxine levels and in the plasma-free thyroxine index. Measurements of minimal metabolic rates also showed strain variation, but the positive correlation which might be expected between the plasma-free thyroxine index and the minimal metabolic rate did not obtain. Possible explanations are discussed.