Differential neurotoxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in Swiss-Webster mice from different sources.

Male Swiss-Webster mice obtained from three different commercial suppliers were treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Mice from one of the three suppliers were considerably more sensitive to the neurotoxic effects of MPTP than mice from the others. For example the MPTP-induced decrements in the neostriatal levels of dopamine and its metabolites, which are a reflection of the neurotoxic process, were considerably greater in the sensitive strain than in the less sensitive strains.