Alterations in reproductive function in SRC tyrosine kinase knockout mice.
The role of Src tyrosine kinase in regulating reproductive processes in female mice was investigated using Src wild-type (+/+), heterozygous (+/-), and knockout (-/-) mice. Ovarian Src kinase activity transiently increased in Src +/+ mice following eCG administration. Src knockout mice were infertile. Estrous cycles and vaginal opening in Src knockouts were variable and altered compared with Src +/+ and +/- mice. Follicle development was compromised in Src knockout mice as evidenced by reduced numbers of large pre-antral and antral follicles compared to Src +/+ mice. Corpora lutea were not observed in the ovaries of Src knockout mice; however, administration of eCG and hCG did result in ovulation. Serum LH and FSH on d 40 and 52 of age did not differ between Src wild-type and knockout females. Results from these studies reveal that female Src knockout mice are infertile due to reduced follicle development and anovulation.
Roby
Katherine F
KF
Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160, USA. kroby@kumc.edu
Son
Deok-Soo
DS
Taylor
Christopher C
CC
Montgomery-Rice
Valerie
V
Kirchoff
Jeremy
J
Tang
Sandy
S
Terranova
Paul F
PF
D000818:Animals; D000858:Anovulation / Q000503:physiopathology; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000502:physiology; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019061:src-Family Kinases / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D019061:src-Family Kinases