Journal Article

Mouse models in male fertility research

Duangporn Jamsai Moira K O＇Bryan

2011

Overview

Limited knowledge of the genetic causes of male infertility has resulted in few treatment and targeted therapeutic options. Although the ideal approach to identify infertility causing mutations is to conduct studies in the human population, this approach has progressed slowly due to the limitations described herein. Given the complexity of male fertility, the entire process cannot be modeled in vitro. As such, animal models, in particular mouse models, provide a valuable alternative for gene identification and experimentation. Since the introduction of molecular biology and recent advances in animal model production, there has been a substantial acceleration in the identification and characterization of genes associated with many diseases, including infertility. Three major types of mouse models are commonly used in biomedical research, including knockoutJknockin/gene-trapped, transgenic and chemical-induced point mutant mice. Using these mouse models, over 400 genes essential for male fertility have been revealed. It has, however, been estimated that thousands of genes are involved in the regulation of the complex process of male fertility, as many such genes remain to be characterized. The current review is by no means a comprehensive list of these mouse models, rather it contains examples of how mouse models have advanced our knowledge of post-natal germ cell development and male fertility regulation.

• Publisher: Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd,Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: Animals / Disease Models, Animal / Fertility - physiology / Humans / Infertility, Male - genetics / Infertility, Male - physiopathology / Male / Mice / Mice, Transgenic / Review / Spermatogenesis - physiology / 分子生物学 / 动物模型 / 基因鉴定 / 小鼠模型 / 生殖细胞发育 / 生育能力 / 男性不育 / 突变小鼠