Alteration of reproductive function but not prenatal sexual development after insertional disruption of the mouse estrogen receptor gene.

Abstract

Estrogen receptor and its ligand, estradiol, have long been thought to be essential for survival, fertility, and female sexual differentiation and development. Consistent with this proposed crucial role, no human estrogen receptor gene mutations are known, unlike the adrogen receptor, where many loss of function mutations have been found. We have generated mutant mice lacking responsiveness to estradiol by male and female animals survive to adulthood with normal gross external phenotypes. Females are infertile; males have a decreased fertility. Females have hypoplastic uteri and hyperemic ovaries with no detectable corpora lutea.Estrogen receptor and its ligand, estradiol, have long been thought to be essential for survival, fertility, and female sexual differentiation and development. Consistent with this proposed crucial role, no human estrogen receptor gene mutations are known, unlike the adrogen receptor, where many loss of function mutations have been found. We have generated mutant mice lacking responsiveness to estradiol by male and female animals survive to adulthood with normal gross external phenotypes. Females are infertile; males have a decreased fertility. Females have hypoplastic uteri and hyperemic ovaries with no detectable corpora lutea.