title: Decreased size and survival of weanling mice in litters of IL-5-/ -mice are a consequence of the IL-5 deficiency in nursing dams.
abstract: We have observed decreased size and increased mortality rates in interleukin 5 (IL-5)-deficient mice versus IL-5-heterozygous and wild-type mice and have sought to define these differences. IL-5-deficient mice nursed by IL-5 deficient mothers were notably underweight, with a high percentage of preweaning mortality. In contrast, IL-5-deficient mice nursed by IL-5-sufficient foster mothers from birth were well-developed and robust at weaning, with a relatively low percentage of preweaning mortality. Mammary tissues from IL-5-deficient females at various landmark stages throughout life were prepared for microscopic assessment. When compared with mammary tissue from normal mice, that from IL-5-deficient dams appeared to have fewer terminal end buds, less well-developed branching of the mammary ducts, and lower overall density of mammary gland structures. The molecular and cellular bases for the differences in mammary gland development in IL-5-deficient mice relative to wild-type animals remains unknown. Under consideration are the roles that IL-5 and eosinophil granulocytes (the primary cell responsive to IL-5) may have in mammary gland development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic-Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona 85259, USA.
authors.forename: Dana C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Colbert
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: McGarry
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'neill
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D017353:Gene Deletion; D016867:Immunocompromised Host / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007774:Lactation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D015848:Interleukin-5