A Deletion Truncating the Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Gene Is Responsible for Hypogonadism in the <i>hpg</i> Mouse

Abstract

Hereditary hypogonadism in the hypogonadal (hpg) mouse is caused by a deletional mutation of at least 33.5 kilobases encompassing the distal half of the gene for the common biosynthetic precursor of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and GnRH-associated peptide (GAP). The partially deleted gene is transcriptionally active as revealed by in situ hybridization histochemistry of hpg hypothalamic tissue sections, but immunocytochemical analysis failed to show the presence of antigen corresponding to any part of the precursor protein.