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Mouse models for identifying genes modulating fertility parameters.
P Laissue1, D L'hôte, C Serres
11INSERM U567, Team21 'Genomics and Epigenetics of Placental Diseases', Genetics and Development Department, Institute Cochin, 24 rue du Faubourg St-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France.
Animal : an International Journal of Animal Bioscience
|March 27, 2012
Summary
Mouse models are crucial for understanding mammalian fertility. Researchers use gene invalidation, positional cloning, and in vitro mutagenesis to identify key fertility genes, with findings potentially applicable to other species.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Genetics
- Animal Science
Background:
- Fertility is vital in humans and economically important species, yet complex to study due to environmental and genetic factors.
- In dairy cows, milk production has historically overshadowed fertility, necessitating a focus on genetic selection for improved fertility.
- Understanding fertility pathways is challenging due to numerous genes and sex-specific modulators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review methods for identifying genes that influence mammalian fertility.
- To highlight the utility of mouse models in fertility research.
- To discuss the translatability of mouse model findings to other species.
Main Methods:
- Review of three key approaches in mouse models: gene invalidation, positional cloning, and in vitro mutagenesis.
- Leveraging the mouse's controlled environment, genetic characterization, and advanced genomic tools.
- Analysis of systematic transcriptome studies to identify potential fertility-related genes.
Main Results:
- Mouse models offer a controlled system to study complex fertility traits.
- Gene invalidation, positional cloning, and in vitro mutagenesis are effective in identifying fertility-modulating genes.
- Mouse genetic studies provide valuable insights applicable to human and livestock fertility.
Conclusions:
- Mouse models are indispensable tools for dissecting the genetic basis of fertility.
- The reviewed methodologies in mice facilitate the discovery of genes impacting reproductive success.
- Findings from mouse fertility research hold significant potential for application in human and animal breeding programs.
