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Mice lacking progesterone receptor exhibit pleiotropic reproductive abnormalities
J P Lydon1, F J DeMayo, C R Funk
1Department of Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Genes & Development
|September 15, 1995
Summary
Progesterone is vital for pregnancy and reproduction. Researchers created a progesterone receptor knockout mouse, revealing progesterone
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Progesterone is crucial for pregnancy.
- Its effects are mediated by the progesterone receptor (PR).
- Estrogen can induce PR, complicating the study of progesterone's specific roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the specific in vivo functions of progesterone.
- To generate a mouse model lacking a functional PR.
Main Methods:
- Utilized embryonic stem cell/gene targeting to create a PR gene knockout mouse model.
- Analyzed reproductive tissues and functions in adult female PR knockout mice.
Main Results:
- PR knockout mice developed normally into adulthood.
- Adult female PR knockout mice exhibited severe reproductive defects, including anovulation, uterine hyperplasia, limited mammary gland development, and absent sexual behavior.
Conclusions:
- Progesterone acts as a pleiotropic coordinator of reproductive events essential for species survival.
- These findings confirm progesterone's specific roles beyond pregnancy maintenance.