Hormonal basis of reproductive defects in athymic mice: reduced gonadotropins and testosterone in males.

摘要: We wished to determine if congenitally athymic nude male mice have the same reduction in circulating concentrations of gonadotropins and gonadal steroids observed their female counterparts when compared normal heterozygous littermates. therefore quantitated pituitary levels testosterone 102 athyinic 101 littermates ranging age from 1 120 days. Although developmental patterns for both luteinizing hormone (LH) follicle-stimulating (FSH) were similar those previously rats mice, had significantly reduced serum LH FSH comparison heterozygotes. In general, secretion was most marked prior sexual maturation but persisted adult males. Circulating also markedly Histologically, number Leydig cells appeared testes 20-day.old mice. However, no differences could be detected 40-day-old animals, spermatogenesis normal. Thus, unlike females, appear reproductive capacity despite these hormonal abnormalities.