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Many treatments and genetic mutations impact the timing of sexual maturity and fertility. This protocol describes a non-invasive method to evaluate pubertal onset in mice and rats prior to setting up a fertility study in sexually mature animals.
Assessment of reproductive competence is critical for understanding the impact of a treatment or genetic manipulation on the reproductive axis, also termed the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The reproductive axis is a key integrator of environmental and internal input adapting fertility to favorable conditions for reproduction. Prior to embarking upon a fertility study in mice and rats, sexual maturity is evaluated to exclude the possibility that the observed reproductive phenotypes are caused by delayed or absent pubertal onset. This protocol describes a non-invasive approach to assess pubertal onset in males through the determination of preputial separation, and in females through vaginal opening and first estrus. After the confirmation of the completion of puberty and the achievement of sexual maturity, a fertility study can be initiated. The procedure describes the optimal breeding conditions for mice and rats, how to set up a fertility study, and what parameters to evaluate and determine if the treatment or gene deletion has an impact on fertility.
The transition through puberty is required to attain sexual maturity and reproductive competence. The pubertal transition and the maintenance of fertility in adulthood is regulated by the reproductive axis, also termed the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (Figure 1). The timing of pubertal onset and maintenance of fertility is tightly regulated by internal as well as environmental factors to increase the chances of survival of offspring and parents1,2. This protocol provides a non-invasive approach to determine pubertal onset in mice and rats to confirm sexual maturity prior to....
All methods described here have been approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Michigan State University and conducted in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
1. Determine Pubertal Onset
The presented results are from two different transgenic mouse models where the transcription factor Ventral anterior homeobox 1 (Vax1) has been deleted in the whole body on one allele, here referred to as heterozygote mice (HET)13, or Vax1 has been conditionally deleted within GnRH neurons22, here termed conditional KO (cKO). Prior to setting up the fertility study, it is important to confirm pubertal onset in all the mice........
The overall wellbeing of the mice is critical for a successful fertility assay21. When performing a fertility assay, it is important to not physically check on the mice every day as this can cause stress. Further avoid frequent cage changes, as these are also stressful. Ideally cage changes will be done no more than 1-2 times per week. Light exposure during the dark phase negatively impacts breeding in nocturnal rodents. Do not turn on lights in the breeding room during the dark hours. If entry to.......
I thank the authors contributing to the initial work which is the basis of this publication. Thanks to Aitor Aguirre, Genevieve E. Ryan and Erica L. Schoeller for help preparing the manuscript. Thanks to Jessica Sora Lee and Austin Chin for technical assistance with the manuscript. H.M.H. was supported by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R00HD084759.
....Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
Sterile Cotton Balls | Fisher | 22456885 | |
Surface protector | Fisher | 1420637 | |
Light meter | VWR | 21800-014 | |
Methylene blue | Sigma-Aldrich | M9140 | |
Microscope Slides | Genesee Scientific | 29-101 | |
Optimouse rack with cages | AnimalCare systems | C89100 | |
Water Bottle Basket | AnimalCare systems | C61011 | |
Filtered Cage Tops | AnimalCare systems | C78210 | |
Optimice Standard Feeder | AnimalCare systems | C40100SG | |
Cage Card Holder | AnimalCare systems | C43251 | |
Cage Cards | AnimalCare systems | M52010 | |
Bottle Assambley | AnimalCare systems | C79122P | |
Bed R'Nest Nesting | The Andersons | BRN4WSR | |
1/8" Corn Cob bedding | The Andersons | 8B | |
Standard mouse chow | Teklad | 7904 (7004) | |
Scale | VWR | 10205-004 | |
Polypropylene Beaker | Fisher | 14-955-111F |
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