Phenotyping male infertility in the mouse: how to get the most out of a ‘non-performer’

Phenotyping male infertility in the mouse: how to get the most out of a ‘non-performer’

BACKGROUND Functional male gametes are produced through complex processes that take place within the testis, epididymis and female reproductive tract. A breakdown at any of these phases can result in male infertility. The production of mutant mouse models often yields an unexpected male infertility...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human reproduction update Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 205 - 224
Main Authors: Borg, Claire L., Wolski, Katja M., Gibbs, Gerard M., O'Bryan, Moira K.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England Oxford University Press 01-03-2010
Subjects:
Animals
Breeding
Disease Models, Animal
Female
Fertilization
Hormones - physiology
Humans
infertility
Infertility, Male - genetics
Infertility, Male - pathology
Infertility, Male - physiopathology
Male
Meiosis
Mice
Mice, Mutant Strains
mouse models
Phenotype
Pregnancy
Reviews
Sperm Maturation
Spermatogenesis
spermiogenesis
Testis - pathology
Testis - physiopathology
mouse models
spermatogenesis
spermiogenesis
infertility
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Summary:BACKGROUND Functional male gametes are produced through complex processes that take place within the testis, epididymis and female reproductive tract. A breakdown at any of these phases can result in male infertility. The production of mutant mouse models often yields an unexpected male infertility phenotype. It is with this in mind that the current review has been written. The review aims to act as a guide to the ‘non-reproductive biologist’ to facilitate a systematic analysis of sterile or subfertile mice and to assist in extracting the maximum amount of information from each model. METHODS This is a review of the original literature on defects in the processes that take a mouse spermatogonial stem cell through to a fully functional spermatozoon, which result in male infertility. Based on literature searches and personal experience, we have outlined a step-by-step strategy for the analysis of an infertile male mouse line. RESULTS A wide range of methods can be used to define the phenotype of an infertile male mouse. These methods range from histological methods such as electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry, to hormone analyses and methods to assess sperm maturation status and functional competence. CONCLUSION With the increased rate of genetically modified mouse production, the generation of mouse models with unexpected male infertility is increasing. This manuscript will help to ensure that the maximum amount of information is obtained from each mouse model and, by extension, will facilitate the knowledge of both normal fertility processes and the causes of human infertility.
Bibliography:istex:806CBE1CA7E5B4341AE9EA2AE3A72BF3F48295F1
ark:/67375/HXZ-H0T3K340-M
ArticleID:dmp032
ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-3
content type line 23
ObjectType-Review-1
ISSN:1355-4786
1460-2369
DOI:10.1093/humupd/dmp032