Modelling menstruation in the common mouse: a narrative review.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology and endocrinology
• Gynecology and women's health research
• Animal models in biomedical research

Background:

• Menstruation, affecting 50% of the population, remains understudied, limiting treatment options for pathologies.
• Ethical and technical constraints hinder human in vivo menstruation research.
• Naturally menstruating animal models are often unsuitable, necessitating the use of induced models in mice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate current mouse models used to simulate menstruation.
• To analyze how technical variables, particularly progesterone withdrawal, influence these models.
• To identify gaps in understanding endometrial breakdown and repair mechanisms in these models.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on mouse models of menstruation.
• Categorization of models into ovariectomy-based and pseudopregnancy-based approaches.
• Analysis of the impact of different ovarian hormone withdrawal protocols on the menstrual-like process.

Main Results:

• Two primary categories of mouse models (ovariectomy-based and pseudopregnancy-based) were identified.
• The method of progesterone withdrawal critically influenced the rate of endometrial breakdown.
• Models withdrawing only progesterone showed slower endometrial breakdown compared to those withdrawing all ovarian input, suggesting other factors are involved.

Conclusions:

• Current mouse models of menstruation offer valuable insights but have limitations.
• The precise mechanisms of endometrial breakdown and repair in these models require further investigation.
• Variations in model methodology, especially hormone withdrawal, can impact research outcomes and their translation to human menstruation.