Related Experiment Videos
Developmental and reproductive performance in circadian mutant mice
H Dolatshad1, E A Campbell, L O'Hara
1Department of Anatomy, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK.
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|October 8, 2005
Summary
Circadian rhythms are not essential for mouse reproduction to term, but play critical roles in peri-natal and post-partum stages. Disruptions impact fertility and offspring survival.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Chronobiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Circadian rhythm genes are expressed widely.
- Investigating the role of circadian rhythms in mouse reproduction and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the necessity of functional circadian clocks for mouse reproduction and development.
- To compare the effects of different circadian clock mutations on reproductive success.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Clock(Delta19) and Vipr2-/- mutant mice.
- Compared fecundity and reproductive parameters with wild-type (WT) littermates.
- Assessed reproductive outcomes under both light:dark and continuous darkness conditions.
Main Results:
- Mutant uteri exhibited altered circadian rhythms.
- Male fertility was mildly reduced in mutant lines, with irregular estrous cycles exacerbated by darkness.
- No impact on fetal lethality, pregnancy rates, or litter size, but peri-natal delivery issues and poor offspring survival were observed in Clock(Delta19) mutants.
Conclusions:
- A fully functional circadian clock is not essential for reproduction until term.
- Circadian rhythms play critical roles in peri-natal and post-partum development and survival.
- Specific mutations reveal distinct impacts on reproductive timing and offspring viability.