Interleukin 2 receptor gamma chain (gamma(c)) knockout mice show less regularity in estrous cycle but achieve normal pregnancy without fetal compromise.
OBJECTIVE
Implication of cytokines in pregnancy suggested but remains to be established. We studied the effect of cytokines on reproductive functions such as ovulation and pregnancy, with mutant mice lacking interleukin 2 receptor gamma (IL-2Rgamma), the so-called common gamma chain (gamma(c)), which is shared among receptors for multiple cytokines such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9 and IL-15.


METHODS
Regularities of estrous cycles were observed by vaginal smear. Ovaries stimulated with postmenopausal serum gonadotropin (PMSG) were examined for the ovarian capacities. The uteri at 13 days of gestation were used for histological analysis of the maternal-fetal interface.


RESULTS
The estrous cycles in gamma(c) knockout (gamma(c) KO) mice were irregular compared with wild-type mice, although, the mutants could become pregnant. No uterine natural killer (uNK) cell was found in the uterus at 13 days of pregnancy, and poor decidual formation and thickness of blood vessel walls were observed. Apparent differences were not seen in the numbers and weight of the fetuses between wild type and mutant animals, and fetuses were not compromised throughout pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
The gamma(c) KO mice showed irregular estrous cycle but they could carry out normal pregnancy despite lacking uNK and cytokines actions of IL-2, 4, 7, 9 and 15.
Miyazaki
Satomi
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan.
Tanebe
Kyoko
K
Sakai
Masatoshi
M
Michimata
Toshihiko
T
Tsuda
Hiroshi
H
Fujimura
Masaki
M
Nakamura
Masataka
M
Kiso
Yasuo
Y
Saito
Shigeru
S
D000818:Animals; D004971:Estrus / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000276:immunology*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000276:immunology
D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2