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Regular Article |
a The Molecular Reproduction Research Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2W 1R7
b Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B2
ABSTRACT
In the highly organized and complex process of mammalian spermatogenesis, the development of an undifferentiated diploid germ cell into a fully differentiated and mature spermatozoon is orchestrated in a time frame unique for each species including man. If the various hormonal signals including environmental cues that play a critical part in initiating these events are not properly executed, various deficiencies including delay in sexual maturity or puberty are likely. In this study we have followed testicular development and spermatogenesis in the FSH receptor knockout (FORKO) mice from Day 7 onward by using histology and quantitative DNA flow cytometry. The drastic reduction in testicular weight and shrinkage of seminiferous tubules that occurred at this early age persisted into the adult stage in the FORKOs, suggesting inhibition of the initial developmental processes. The round spermatids that were clearly abundant on Day 21 in the wild-type and heterozygous males were few and present only in some tubules of the FORKOs. There were no elongated spermatids in FORKO males on Day 35. The sperm produced by Day 49 FORKOs were already aberrant, a feature that persisted into adulthood in these animals. As all these changes occurred in a background of normal circulating testosterone levels, we may conclude that the delay in testicular development is a consequence of the loss of FSH-receptor signaling. The delay in sexual maturity of FORKOs was accompanied by reduction in fertility as evidenced by mating studies. Based on these data we suggest that the FORKO mouse might be a useful experimental model to define the molecular mechanisms that underlie the delay in puberty.
First decision: 15 February 2001.
1 This work was supported by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
2 Correspondence: M. Ram Sairam, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, 110 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, PQ, Canada H2W 1R7. FAX: 514 987 5585; sairamm{at}ircm.qc.ca
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