ANIMAL MODELS OF MALE INFERTILITY

特异性基因突变诱导小鼠雄性不育， 对精子发生或睾丸类固醇生成的影响。 首要目标 研究的目的是阐明这些基因突变的作用 性行为、精子功能和内分泌系统。 研究 联合收割机结合遗传学、行为科学、内分泌学和分子生物学 从生理学的角度来评估基因突变 命名为半肢额外脚趾，hightail，甲状腺功能减退，小，侏儒，和 比 每只小鼠生殖生物学的以下参数 将被量化：交配行为，性唤起， 精子在体内和体外的存活率、活力和速度， 单克隆抗体检测精子成熟抗原的模式 抗体和血清LH、FSH、生长激素、催乳素水平， 甲状腺素和睾丸激素 拟议研究的一个方面是 激素替代实验的设计，可以提供洞察 特定生殖过程的激素需求。 的 基因突变的后果将通过比较突变体 老鼠和它们正常的兄弟姐妹。 实验方法的力量在于 事实证明，不孕症患者和非不孕症患者之间的主要差异 小鼠与其正常同胞的突变是单基因突变。 实验 这些结果对于理解表型效应是很重要的。 导致男性不育的基因突变。 值得注意的是， 突变有可能成为重要的实验工具， 破译成功男性所需的复杂过程网络 生殖 突变小鼠还可以提供用于以下的上级动物模型： 特发性骨髓瘤的病因及治疗 男性不育症

Specific gene mutations induce male infertility in mice without observable effects on spermatogenesis or testicular steroidogenesis. The primary goal of the proposed studies is to elucidate the actions of these gene mutations on sexual behavior, sperm function, and the endocrine system. The studies combine genetics, behavioral science, endocrinology, and molecular biology in a physiological approach to the critical assessment of gene mutations named hemimelic extra toes, hightail, hypothyroid, little, pygmy, and stubby. The following parameters of the reproductive biology of each mouse will be quantified: mating behavior, sexual arousal, fertilizing capacity of sperm in vivo and in vitro, sperm viability, motility, and velocity, pattern of sperm maturation antigens as detected with monoclonal antibodies, and serum levels of LH, FSH, growth hormone, prolactin, thyroxine, and testosterone. One aspect of the proposed studies is the designing of hormone replacement experiments which may provide insight into hormonal requirements of specific reproductive processes. The ramifications of the gene mutations will be assessed by comparing mutant mice and their normal siblings. The power of the experimental approach is evidenced by the fact that the primary difference between the infertile mouse and its normal sibling is the single-gene mutation. The experimental results will be important for understanding the phenotypic effects of the gene mutations that cause male infertility. Significantly, the gene mutations have the potential of being important experimental tools for deciphering the complex network of processes required for successful male reproduction. The mutant mice may also provide superior animal models for investigations of the etiology and therapeutic treatments of idiopathic male infertility.