title: Generation and characterization of androgen receptor knockout (ARKO) mice: an in vivo model for the study of androgen functions in selective tissues.
abstract: By using a cre-lox conditional knockout strategy, we report here the generation of androgen receptor knockout (ARKO) mice. Phenotype analysis shows that ARKO male mice have a female-like appearance and body weight. Their testes are 80% smaller and serum testosterone concentrations are lower than in wild-type (wt) mice. Spermatogenesis is arrested at pachytene spermatocytes. The number and size of adipocytes are also different between the wt and ARKO mice. Cancellous bone volumes of ARKO male mice are reduced compared with wt littermates. In addition, we found the average number of pups per litter in homologous and heterozygous ARKO female mice is lower than in wt female mice, suggesting potential defects in female fertility and/or ovulation. The cre-lox ARKO mouse provides a much-needed in vivo animal model to study androgen functions in the selective androgen target tissues in female or male mice.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Urology and Pathology, George H. Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
authors.forename: Shuyuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Meng-Yin
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Qingquan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xiao-Min
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lardy
authors.forename: Ko-En
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hank
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shauh-Der
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Saleh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Altuwaijri
authors.forename: Xinchang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Lianping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Brendan F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Boyce
authors.forename: Mien-Chie
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Su
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gan
authors.forename: Chawnshang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Min-Chi
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hung
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000002:abnormalities; D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000002:abnormalities; D005260:Female; D018390:Gene Targeting; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000002:abnormalities; D006579:Heterozygote; D006720:Homozygote; D019426:Integrases / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008954:Models, Biological; D011247:Pregnancy; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000002:abnormalities; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D014764:Viral Proteins; D013739:Testosterone; C045073:Cre recombinase; D019426:Integrases