Genetic manipulations to study reproduction

Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2005 Apr 29;234(1-2):127-35. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2004.08.015.

Abstract

Fertility disorders affect approximately 15% of individuals worldwide. With the imminent completion of the human and mouse genome sequence, it will be more feasible to identify the relevant genes underlying many fertility disorders. Already, the mouse has been utilized extensively as a genetic tool for the dissection of gene function, often providing significant insights into the relationship between gene and disease. In fact, there are over 200 mouse models that display reproductive defects. However, the available mouse mutant resources provide functional information for a mere 10% of the total number of genes in the mouse or human genomes at best. The improvement of available genome annotations together with more powerful techniques to manipulate the mouse genome provide substantial improvements in our ability to identify genes involved in reproduction, and in the future will likely benefit patients with fertility problems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gene Targeting*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout*
  • Reproduction / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • Transforming Growth Factor beta