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Pathologic copulatory lock in a genetically engineered laboratory mouse breeding pair.

Glory Leung1, Rodolfo Ricart-Arbona1,2, Sebastien Monette1,2

  • 1Tri-Institutional Training Program in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Science, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, and The Rockefeller University, USA.

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|April 18, 2023
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A rare case of copulatory lock in laboratory mice (Mus musculus) led to penile necrosis. This event, possibly caused by a retained copulatory plug, has not been previously reported in this species.

Keywords:
Behaviorcopulationorganisms and modelspathologyphysiologyrodentssexual behavior

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Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Rodent Research

Background:

  • Copulatory locks (coital ties) and copulatory plugs are documented in some rodent species.
  • These phenomena have not been previously reported in laboratory mice (Mus musculus).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a novel case of copulatory lock in laboratory mice.
  • To investigate the potential cause and consequences of this event.

Main Methods:

  • Observation of a breeding pair of genetically engineered laboratory mice in apparent copulatory lock.
  • Gentle separation of the pair under anesthesia.
  • Physical examination and histopathological analysis of affected tissues (penis, vagina).

Main Results:

  • A vaginal prolapse was noted in the female; the male exhibited penile necrosis and a distended bladder, leading to euthanasia.
  • Histopathology confirmed coagulative necrosis of the distal penis.
  • A firm, cylindrical mass consistent with a copulatory plug adhered to the glans penis.

Conclusions:

  • This is the first reported instance of copulatory lock and associated penile necrosis in laboratory mice.
  • The adherence of a copulatory plug to both the penis and vagina is hypothesized to have caused the lock and subsequent ischemic necrosis.
  • This case highlights a potential reproductive complication in laboratory mice.