Targeted Disruption of ALK Reveals a Potential Role in Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism

摘要: Mice lacking ALK activity have previously been reported to exhibit subtle behavioral phenotypes. In this study of loss function mice we present data supporting a role for in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism male mice. We observed lower level serum testosterone at P40 knock-out males, accompanied by mild disorganization seminiferous tubules exhibiting decreased numbers GATA4 expressing cells. These observations highlight testis and are further supported experiments which chemical inhibition with the TKI crizotinib was employed. Oral administration resulted decrease levels adult wild type mice, reverted normal after cessation treatment. Analysis GnRH expression neurons hypothalamus revealed significant number positive when compared control littermates. Thus, appears be involved regulating timing pubertal onset upper hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis.