title: Male reproductive function is not affected in prolactin receptor-deficient mice.
abstract: Mice with a targeted disruption of the prolactin (PRL) receptor gene were used to study the physiological role of PRL in the control of the male reproductive function. Fertility parameters as well as body and reproductive organ weights (epididymis and testes) were unaffected in PRL receptor knockout mice. Testicular histology and sperm reserves were also normal. Compared with wild-type animals, knockout mice had no significant difference in basal plasma LH, FSH, and testosterone levels, and the weight of seminal vesicles and prostate was unaffected. Moreover, no alteration was detected in human chorionic gonadotropin-induced testosterone levels. It is concluded that the absence of PRL signaling is not detrimental to male testicular function and to fertility in the mouse.
authors.affiliation: Hormone Targets, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 584, Faculté de Médecine Necker-Enfants Malades, 75015 Paris, France. binart@necker.fr
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Binart
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Melaine
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pineau
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kercret
authors.forename: Anne Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Touzalin
authors.forename: Prune
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Imbert-Bolloré
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jégou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009929:Organ Size; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin / Q000235:genetics*; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D011981:Receptors, Prolactin; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone