Failure of Normal Leydig Cell Development in Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Receptor-Deficient Mice, But Not FSHβ-Deficient Mice: Role for Constitutive FSH Receptor Activity

• Published in: Endocrinology (Philadelphia) Vol. 144; no. 1; pp. 138 - 145
• Main Authors: Baker, Paul J, Pakarinen, Pirjo, Huhtaniemi, Ilpo T, Abel, Margaret H, Charlton, Harry M, Kumar, T. Rajendra, O’Shaughnessy, Peter J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Endocrine Society 01.01.2003; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Animal models; Biological and medical sciences; Cell culture; Cell number; Cytochrome P450; Cytochromes P450; Follicle-stimulating hormone; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hydroxysteroids; Luteinizing hormone; Mammalian male genital system; Morphology. Physiology; mRNA; Puberty; Receptors; Sertoli cells; Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein; Testosterone; Transfection; Vertebrates: reproduction; Cell function; Deficiency; Rodentia; Transgenic animal; Gonadotropin; Testicle; Male genital system; Leydig cell; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Adenohypophyseal hormone; Mouse; Differentiation; FSH receptor; Follicle stimulating hormone

Previous studies have suggested that FSH may be involved in regulation of Leydig cell function. We have examined this directly using two mouse models with null mutations in either the FSH β-subunit (FSHβKO mice) or the FSH receptor (FSHRKO mice). Circulating LH levels were normal in adult FSHβKO mic...