Variance in LDH isozyme patterns in a Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) colony.

1. LDH activity and isozyme pattern were examined in the liver and epididymal fat pad of animals in 12 different sublines of the Upjohn Chinese hamster colony, which was established to produce animals with spontaneous diabetes. 2. Considerable divergence was observed and the animals could be divided into 3 groups according to LDH-H activity. Each group was significantly different from the other in epididymal fat pad LDH-1, 2,3 and 5 and liver LDH-3, 4 and 5. 3. The variance in LDH isozyme pattern bore no relationship to the state of diabetes but appeared to arise from other genetic determinants. However, within a single subline, a significant correlation between blood sugar and epididymal fat pad LDH-5 was observed.