Transgenic strategies in reproductive endocrinology

The present discussion surveys some of the recently published studies utilizing transgenic strategies to address questions in reproductive endocrinology. Beginning with a brief introduction of the transgenic method itself, the following areas are covered: 1. Sexual development and Müllerian-inhibiting substance; 2. Hypogonadal mice and hypothalamic GnRH; 3. The GnRH neuron: generation of immortalized rare cell types; 4. Glycoprotein hormones: immortalized cells, development and evolution; 5. Growth hormone and reproduction; and, 6. Gestation and the insulin-like growth factors. In each section, the discussion attempts to be integrative with respect to the significance of the results to physiological, cellular and molecular biology. We believe this approach is appropriate, as transgenic science itself is necessarily an integration of all of these levels of investigation and participation from those working at all levels is needed.