Animal models of physiologic markers of male reproduction: genetically defined infertile mice
The present report focuses on novel animal models of male infertility: genetically defined mice bearing single-gene mutations that induce infertility. The primary goal of the investigations was to identify the reproductive defects in these mutant mice. The phenotypic effects of the gene mutations were deciphered by comparing the mutant mice to their normal siblings. Initially testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis were investigated. The physiologic markers for testicular steroidogenesis were steroid secretion by testes perifused in vitro, seminal vesicle weight, and Leydig cell histology. Spermatogenesis was evaluated by the enumeration of homogenization-resistant sperm/spermatids in testes and by morphometric analyses of germ cells in the seminiferous epithelium. If testicular function appeared normal, the authors investigated the sexual behavior of the mice. The parameters of male sexual behavior that were quantified included mount patency, mount frequency, intromission latency, thrusts per intromission, ejaculation latency, and ejaculation duration. Females of pairs breeding under normal circumstances were monitored for the presence of vaginal plugs and pregnancies. The patency of the ejaculatory process was determined by quantifying sperm in the female reproductive tract after sexual behavior tests. Sperm function was studied by quantitatively determining sperm motility during videomicroscopic observation. Also, the ability of epididymal sperm to function within the uterine environment was analyzed by determining sperm capacity to initiate pregnancy after artificial insemination. Together, the experimental results permitted the grouping of the gene mutations into three general categories. They propose that the same biological markers used in the reported studies can be implemented in the assessment of the impact that environmental toxins may have on male reproduction.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5550773
- Journal Information:
- Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Vol. 74
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
FERTILITY
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
REPRODUCTION
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
TOXINS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ANDROGENS
EPITHELIUM
GENE MUTATIONS
MALES
MICE
PROGESTERONE
SECRETION
SPERMATOGENESIS
TESTES
ANDROSTANES
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
ANTIGENS
BODY
GAMETOGENESIS
GONADS
HORMONES
KETONES
MALE GENITALS
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MUTATIONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PREGNANES
RODENTS
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
TISSUES
TOXIC MATERIALS
VERTEBRATES
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology