Housing conditions determine Gfi1-ko/ko mice body mass and survival.

<p><b>(A)</b> Average growth curves from control mice kept under nonSPF conditions indicate evolving development also beyond weaning (Gfi1-wt/wt n = 4, Gfi1-ko/ko n = 3). However, soon after weaning (P19) Gfi1-ko/ko mutants display significantly delayed growth. Development under SPF growth conditions did not affect growth of Gfi1-ko/ko mice (Gfi1-wt/wt n = 4, Gfi1-ko/ko n = 3). Upon SPF+nonSPF housing Gfi1-ko/ko mice demonstrated relative normal growth compared to controls (Gfi1-wt/wt n = 4, Gfi1-ko/ko n = 3); however, Gfi1-ko/ko mice show significant body mass reduction. All curves show values of male mice. See <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0198510#pone.0198510.s007" target="_blank">S1 Table</a> for health monitoring. <b>(B)</b> At SPF and SPF+nonSPF conditions Gfi1-ko/ko mice showed a mortality rate of approx. 9% and 6%, respectively. <b>(C)</b> Final body mass of controls and Gfi1-ko/ko mice was assessed at indicated time points for SPF and SPF+nonSPF conditions. Combined SPF+nonSPF breeding caused a body mass reduction of approx. 25% in male and female Gfi1-ko/ko mice. Error bars represent SD and statistical significance was calculated with t-test, * p ≤ 0.05 and ** p ≤ 0.01.