Name: evaluation of mammary gland development and function in mouse models
Uploaded: 2011-07-21T12:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models at JoVE.com

These studies were funded by CIHR and CBCRA grants to DWL. IP was funded by fellowships from CIHR-STP, FRSQ and CIHR. MKGS was funded by OGS and CIHR-STP scholarships. The authors thank Kevin Barr for his assistance with mouse breeding.

1. Mammary gland dissection 
<ol>
<li>Euthanize the mouse using CO2 inhalation. Avoid cervical
dislocation if possible since it may damage major blood vessels in the
neck and result in accumulation of blood around mammary glands,
rendering the dissection more difficult. However, if other criteria
are to be evaluated in the same mouse, such as blood levels of
oxytocin, alternative euthanasia methods may be necessary, though this
must be evaluated by your IACUC.</li>
<li>On a polystyrene foam wrapped in foil,...

<ol>
	<li>Geddes, D. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inside+the+lactating+breast:+the+latest+anatomy+research.">Inside the lactating breast: the latest anatomy research.</a> J Midwifery Womens Health. 52, 556-556 (2007).</li><li>Sternlicht, M. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Key+stages+in+mammary+gland+development:+the+cues+that+regulate+ductal+branching+morphogenesis.">Key stages in mammary gland development: the cues that regulate ductal branching morphogenesis.</a> Breast Cancer Res. 8, 201-201 (2006).</li><li>Silberstein, G. B., Flanders, K. C., Roberts, A. B., Daniel, C. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regulation+of+mammary+morphogenesis:+evidence+for+extracellular+matrix-mediated+inhibition+of+ductal+budding+by+transforming+growth+factor-beta+1.">Regulation of mammary morphogenesis: evidence for extracellular matrix-mediated inhibition of ductal budding by transforming growth factor-beta 1.</a> Dev Biol. 152, 354-354 (1992).</li><li>Daniel, C. W., Robinson, S., Silberstein, G. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+role+of+TGF-beta+in+patterning+and+growth+of+the+mammary+ductal+tree.">The role of TGF-beta in patterning and growth of the mammary ductal tree.</a> J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 1, 331-331 (1996).</li><li>Neville, M. C., Daniel, C. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> The Mammary gland : development, regulation, and function. , (1987).</li><li>Oakes, S. R., Hilton, H. N., Ormandy, C. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+alveolar+switch:+coordinating+the+proliferative+cues+and+cell+fate+decisions+that+drive+the+formation+of+lobuloalveoli+from+ductal+epithelium.">The alveolar switch: coordinating the proliferative cues and cell fate decisions that drive the formation of lobuloalveoli from ductal epithelium.</a> Breast Cancer Res. 8, 207-207 (2006).</li><li>Anderson, S. M., Rudolph, M. C., McManaman, J. L., Neville, M. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Key+stages+in+mammary+gland+development.+Secretory+activation+in+the+mammary+gland:+it's+not+just+about+milk+protein+synthesis!.">Key stages in mammary gland development. Secretory activation in the mammary gland: it's not just about milk protein synthesis!.</a> Breast Cancer Res. 9, 204-204 (2007).</li><li>Reversi, A., Cassoni, P., Chini, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oxytocin+receptor+signaling+in+myoepithelial+and+cancer+cells.">Oxytocin receptor signaling in myoepithelial and cancer cells.</a> J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 10, 221-221 (2005).</li><li>Haslam, S. Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+to+cell+interactions+and+normal+mammary+gland+function.">Cell to cell interactions and normal mammary gland function.</a> J Dairy Sci. 71, 2843-2843 (1988).</li><li>Plante, I., Laird, D. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Decreased+levels+of+connexin43+result+in+impaired+development+of+the+mammary+gland+in+a+mouse+model+of+oculodentodigital+dysplasia.">Decreased levels of connexin43 result in impaired development of the mammary gland in a mouse model of oculodentodigital dysplasia.</a> Dev Biol. 318, 312-312 (2008).</li><li>Talhouk, R. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heterocellular+interaction+enhances+recruitment+of+alpha+and+beta-catenins+and+ZO-2+into+functional+gap-junction+complexes+and+induces+gap+junction-dependant+differentiation+of+mammary+epithelial+cells.">Heterocellular interaction enhances recruitment of alpha and beta-catenins and ZO-2 into functional gap-junction complexes and induces gap junction-dependant differentiation of mammary epithelial cells.</a> Exp Cell Res. 314, 3275-3275 (2008).</li><li>Palmer, C. A., Neville, M. C., Anderson, S. M., McManaman, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+of+lactation+defects+in+transgenic+mice.">Analysis of lactation defects in transgenic mice.</a> J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 11, 269-269 (2006).</li><li>Howlin, J., McBryan, J., Martin, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pubertal+mammary+gland+development:+insights+from+mouse+models.">Pubertal mammary gland development: insights from mouse models.</a> J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia. 11, 283-283 (2006).</li><li>You, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modulation+of+mammary+gland+development+in+prepubertal+male+rats+exposed+to+genistein+and+methoxychlor.">Modulation of mammary gland development in prepubertal male rats exposed to genistein and methoxychlor.</a> Toxicol Sci. 66, 216-216 (2002).</li><li>Grill, C. J., Cohick, W. S., Sherman, A. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Postpubertal+development+of+the+rat+mammary+gland+is+preserved+during+iron+deficiency.">Postpubertal development of the rat mammary gland is preserved during iron deficiency.</a> J Nutr. 131, 1444-1444 (2001).</li><li>Hennighausen, L., Robinson, G. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Think+globally,+act+locally:+the+making+of+a+mouse+mammary+gland.">Think globally, act locally: the making of a mouse mammary gland.</a> Genes Dev. 12, 449-449 (1998).</li><li>Aupperlee, . <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Strain-specific+differences+in+the+mechanisms+of+progesterone+regulation+of+murine+mammary+gland+development.">Strain-specific differences in the mechanisms of progesterone regulation of murine mammary gland development.</a> Endocrinology. 150, 1485-1485 (2009).</li><li>Montero Girard, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Association+of+estrogen+receptor-alpha+and+progesterone+receptor+A+expression+with+hormonal+mammary+carcinogenesis:+role+of+the+host+microenvironment.">Association of estrogen receptor-alpha and progesterone receptor A expression with hormonal mammary carcinogenesis: role of the host microenvironment.</a> Breast Cancer Res. 9, R22-R22 (2007).</li><li>Moore, D. M., Vogl, A. W., Baimbridge, K., Emerman, J. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+calcium+on+oxytocin-induced+contraction+of+mammary+gland+myoepithelium+as+visualized+by+NBD-phallacidin.">Effect of calcium on oxytocin-induced contraction of mammary gland myoepithelium as visualized by NBD-phallacidin.</a> J Cell Sci. 88, 563-563 (1987).</li></ol>

Mammary gland development and function are tightly orchestrated. Mutant mice may harbor gene mutations that can impair mammary gland development and function highlighting the need to evaluate gland architecture13,12. Whole mounting can be performed as described in this article at all stages of mammary gland development. Typically, development of the epithelium is assessed at the beginning of puberty ( &tilde;4 weeks old), in the middle of puberty ( &tilde;6 weeks old) and after puberty ( &tilde; 10-12 weeks ol...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
 	<tr>
 	<th>Reagent</th>
 <th>Company</th>
 <th>Catalogue number</th> 
 </tr>
 <tr>
 	<td>Carmine</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>C1022</td> 
 </tr>
 <tr>
 	<td>Aluminum potassium sulfate</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>A6435</td> 
 </tr>

 <tr>
 	<td>Thymol</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>T0501</td> 
 </tr>
 <tr>
 	<td>Methyl salicylate</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>M6752</td> 
 </tr>
 <tr>
 	<td>Oxytocin</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>O3251</td>
 </tr> 
 </tbody>
</table>

evaluation of mammary gland development and function in mouse models

The human mammary gland is composed of 15-20 lobes that secrete milk into a branching duct system opening at the nipple. Those lobes are themselves composed of a number of terminal duct lobular units made of secretory alveoli and converging ducts1. In mice, a similar architecture is observed at pregnancy in which ducts and alveoli are interspersed within the connective tissue stroma. The mouse mammary gland epithelium is a tree like system of ducts composed of two layers of cells, an inner layer of luminal cells surrounded by an outer layer of myoepithelial cells denoted by the confines of a basement membrane2. At birth, only a rudimental ductal tree is present, composed of a primary duct and 15-20 branches. Branch elongation and amplification start at the beginning of puberty, around 4 weeks old, under the influence of hormones3,4,5. At 10 weeks, most of the stroma is invaded by a complex system of ducts that will undergo cycles of branching and regression in each estrous cycle until pregnancy2. At the onset of pregnancy, a second phase of development begins, with the proliferation and differentiation of the epithelium to form grape-shaped milk secretory structures called alveoli6,7. Following parturition and throughout lactation, milk is produced by luminal secretory cells and stored within the lumen of alveoli. Oxytocin release, stimulated by a neural reflex induced by suckling of pups, induces synchronized contractions of the myoepithelial cells around the alveoli and along the ducts, allowing milk to be transported through the ducts to the nipple where it becomes available to the pups 8. Mammary gland development, differentiation and function are tightly orchestrated and require, not only interactions between the stroma and the epithelium, but also between myoepithelial and luminal cells within the epithelium9,10,11. Thereby, mutations in many genes implicated in these interactions may impair either ductal elongation during puberty or alveoli formation during early pregnancy, differentiation during late pregnancy and secretory activation leading to lactation12,13. In this article, we describe how to dissect mouse mammary glands and assess their development using whole mounts. We also demonstrate how to evaluate myoepithelial contractions and milk ejection using an ex-vivo oxytocin-based functional assay. The effect of a gene mutation on mammary gland development and function can thus be determined in situ by performing these two techniques in mutant and wild-type control mice.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models at JoVE.com

Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models

This method describes how to dissect and assess mammary gland development and function from mice. Excised mammary glands are assessed for the degree of development using whole mount while milk ejection is evaluated using an oxytocin-based myoepithelial cell contraction assay.

The human mammary gland is composed of 15-20 lobes that secrete milk into a branching duct system opening at the nipple. Those lobes are themselves ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

In vivo Bioluminescent Imaging of Mammary Tumors Using IVIS Spectrum

In vivo Bioluminescent Imaging of Mammary Tumors Using IVIS Spectrum

4T1 mouse mammary tumor cells can be implanted sub-cutaneously in nu/nu mice to form palpable tumors in 15 to 20 days. This xenograft tumor model system ...

Mouse Mammary Epithelial Cells form Mammospheres During Lactogenic Differentiation

A phenotypic measure commonly used to determine the degree of lactogenic differentiation in mouse mammary epithelial cell cultures is the formation of ...

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

Human cancer and response to therapy is better represented in orthotopic animal models.  This paper describes the development of an orthotopic mouse model ...

Changes in Mammary Gland Morphology and Breast Cancer Risk in Rats

Studies in rodent models of breast cancer show that exposures to dietary/hormonal factors during the in utero and pubertal periods, when the mammary gland ...

Isolation of Mouse Salivary Gland Stem Cells

Mature salivary glands of both human and mouse origin comprise a minimum of five cell types, each of which facilitates the production and excretion of ...

Mouse Sperm Cryopreservation and Recovery using the I&middot;Cryo Kit

Thousands of new genetically modified (GM) strains of mice have been created since the advent of transgenesis and knockout technologies.  Many of these ...

Intraductal Injection for Localized Drug Delivery to the Mouse Mammary Gland

Herein we describe a protocol to deliver various reagents to the mouse mammary gland via intraductal injections. Localized drug delivery and knock-down of ...

Functional Reconstitution and Channel Activity Measurements of Purified Wildtype and Mutant CFTR Protein

The Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) is a unique channel-forming member of the ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) superfamily of ...

Evaluation of Zebrafish Kidney Function Using a Fluorescent Clearance Assay

The zebrafish embryo offers a tractable model to study organogenesis and model human genetic disease. Despite its relative simplicity, the zebrafish ...

Indirect Immunofluorescence on Frozen Sections of Mouse Mammary Gland

Indirect immunofluorescence is used to detect and locate proteins of interest in a tissue. The protocol presented here describes a complete and simple ...