Spermatogenic cells do not require estrogen receptor-alpha for development or function.
Estrogen receptors alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) are ligand-dependent transcription factors and members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily encoded by separate genes. Male mice homozygous for a mutation in the gene encoding ERalpha are infertile. To determine whether germ cells or somatic cells require ERalpha, germ cells were transplanted from donor males homozygous for the mutation (ERalpha-/-) to testes of wild-type (ERalpha+/+) recipient mice depleted of germ cells. The recipients served as "surrogate fathers" for the infertile ERalpha-/- males. When mated to wild-type females, the recipients sired offspring heterozygous for the mutation (ERalpha+/-) and carrying the coat-color marker of the ERalpha-/- donor mice. These studies show that male germ cells do not require ERalpha for development or to function in fertilization, and imply that male ERalpha-/- mice are infertile due to disruption of estrogen action within somatic cells of the male reproductive system.
Mahato
D
D
Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA. mahato@niehs.nih.gov
Goulding
E H
EH
Korach
K S
KS
Eddy
E M
EM
D000818:Animals; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000502:physiology; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D005260:Female; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000502:physiology; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011247:Pregnancy; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen