Morphologic and functional analysis of sperm and testes in Aquaporin 7 knockout mice.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the functional and morphologic role of Aquaporin 7 (AQP7) in testis and sperm.


METHODS
Experimental laboratory study.


METHODS
University and research institute units.


METHODS
AQP7 knockout mice (C57BL/6J background).


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Morphologic analysis of testis and epididymis, daily sperm production, sperm motility, in vitro fertilization.


RESULTS
There was no difference in the morphology of the testes and epididymis between AQP7 knockout and wild-type mice. The AQP7 knockout male mice and wild-type male mice had similar numbers of offspring. Analysis of the daily sperm production and motility of AQP7 knockout mice did not show any abnormalities. Similarly, the rate of in vitro fertilization using sperm from AQP7 knockout mice was not different from wild-type mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Male AQP7 knockout mice were not sterile, and their sperm did not show any morphologic and functional abnormalities.
Sohara
Eisei
E
Department of Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Ueda
Otoya
O
Tachibe
Takanori
T
Hani
Toshio
T
Jishage
Kou-ichi
K
Rai
Tatemitsu
T
Sasaki
Sei
S
Uchida
Shinichi
S
D000818:Animals; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*
C491927:Aqp7 protein, mouse; D020346:Aquaporins