Endocrinology, Vol 117, 338-346, Copyright © 1985 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Animal models of male infertility: mice bearing single-gene mutations that induce infertility

C Chubb and C Nolan

Genetically defined mouse models of male infertility are described in the present report. The mice were rendered infertile by one of the following gene mutations: Ames dwarf, dwarf, flipper-arm, hightail, hypothyroid, little, pygmy, stubby. The effects of each gene mutation on testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis were elucidated by a comparison of the mutant mice to their normal siblings. Testicular steroidogenesis was assessed directly by determining steroid secretion by testes perfused in vitro. The study provides the first comprehensive assessment of testicular function in the mutant mice. The eight gene mutations can be classified into two groups based on the results. One group of gene mutations (Ames dwarf, dwarf, flipper-arm, pygmy) specifically depress spermatogenesis and testicular steroidogenesis. The infertility of these mutant mice can be linked to the lowered total sperm production. The second group of gene mutations (hightail, hypothyroid, little, stubby) do not specifically depress either spermatogenesis or testosterone secretion. Subsequently, the etiology of the male infertility of the second group of mutant mice is unknown. We propose that these mutant mice provide valuable experimental tools for the study of male infertility and male reproduction.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P Froment, M Vigier, D Negre, I Fontaine, J Beghelli, F L Cosset, M Holzenberger, and P Durand Inactivation of the IGF-I receptor gene in primary Sertoli cells highlights the autocrine effects of IGF-I J. Endocrinol., September 1, 2007; 194(3): 557 - 568. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Ivanova, K. M. Dobrzycka, S. Jiang, K. Michaelis, R. Meyer, K. Kang, B. Adkins, O. A. Barski, S. Zubairy, J. Divisova, et al. Scaffold Attachment Factor B1 Functions in Development, Growth, and Reproduction Mol. Cell. Biol., April 15, 2005; 25(8): 2995 - 3006. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Chandrashekar, D. Zaczek, and A. Bartke The Consequences of Altered Somatotropic System on Reproduction Biol Reprod, July 1, 2004; 71(1): 17 - 27. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Froment, C. Staub, S. Hembert, C. Pisselet, M. Magistrini, B. Delaleu, D. Seurin, J. E. Levine, L. Johnson, M. Binoux, et al. Reproductive Abnormalities in Human Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein-1 Transgenic Male Mice Endocrinology, April 1, 2004; 145(4): 2080 - 2091. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Chandrashekar, A. Bartke, C. A. Awoniyi, C. H. Tsai-Morris, M. L. Dufau, L. D. Russell, and J. J. Kopchick Testicular Endocrine Function in GH Receptor Gene Disrupted Mice Endocrinology, August 1, 2001; 142(8): 3443 - 3450. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Matt Kim, J. T. McGaughy, R. Kent Bogle, and S. E. Ravnik Meiotic Expression of the Cyclin H/Cdk7 Complex in Male Germ Cells of the Mouse Biol Reprod, May 1, 2001; 64(5): 1400 - 1408. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J.-Y. Jiang, M. Umezu, and E. Sato Characteristics of Infertility and the Improvement of Fertility by Thyroxine Treatment in Adult Male Hypothyroid rdw Rats Biol Reprod, December 1, 2000; 63(6): 1637 - 1641. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				T. R. Kumar, A. L. Wiseman, G. Kala, S. V. Kala, M. M. Matzuk, and M. W. Lieberman Reproductive Defects in {gamma}-Glutamyl Transpeptidase-Deficient Mice Endocrinology, November 1, 2000; 141(11): 4270 - 4277. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Gnessi, A. Fabbri, and G. Spera Gonadal Peptides as Mediators of Development and Functional Control of the Testis: An Integrated System with Hormones and Local Environment Endocr. Rev., August 1, 1997; 18(4): 541 - 609. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]