The protein encoded by this gene catalyzes the conversion of L-lactate and NAD to pyruvate and NADH in the final step of anaerobic glycolysis. The protein is found predominantly in muscle tissue and belongs to the lactate dehydrogenase family. Mutations in this gene have been linked to hemolytic anemia and early postimplantation death in mice. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. The mouse genome contains multiple pseudogenes of this gene. [provided by RefSeq, May 2013]