Impaired fertility and FSH synthesis in gonadotrope-specific Foxl2 knockout mice

Mol Endocrinol. 2013 Mar;27(3):407-21. doi: 10.1210/me.2012-1286. Epub 2013 Jan 22.

Abstract

Impairments in pituitary FSH synthesis or action cause infertility. However, causes of FSH dysregulation are poorly described, in part because of our incomplete understanding of mechanisms controlling FSH synthesis. Previously, we discovered a critical role for forkhead protein L2 (FOXL2) in activin-stimulated FSH β-subunit (Fshb) transcription in immortalized cells in vitro. Here, we tested the hypothesis that FOXL2 is required for FSH synthesis in vivo. Using a Cre/lox approach, we selectively ablated Foxl2 in murine anterior pituitary gonadotrope cells. Conditional knockout (cKO) mice developed overtly normally but were subfertile in adulthood. Testis size and spermatogenesis were significantly impaired in cKO males. cKO females exhibited reduced ovarian weight and ovulated fewer oocytes in natural estrous cycles compared with controls. In contrast, ovaries of juvenile cKO females showed normal responses to exogenous gonadotropin stimulation. Both male and female cKO mice were FSH deficient, secondary to diminished pituitary Fshb mRNA production. Basal and activin-stimulated Fshb expression was similarly impaired in Foxl2 depleted primary pituitary cultures. Collectively, these data definitively establish FOXL2 as the first identified gonadotrope-restricted transcription factor required for selective FSH synthesis in vivo.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Activins / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Fertility*
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit / biosynthesis*
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit / deficiency
  • Forkhead Box Protein L2
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / deficiency*
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Genetic Loci / genetics
  • Gonadotrophs / drug effects
  • Gonadotrophs / metabolism*
  • Gonadotropins / blood
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Organ Specificity / drug effects
  • Ovarian Follicle / drug effects
  • Ovarian Follicle / physiology
  • Ovulation / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Recombination, Genetic / genetics
  • Sertoli Cells / cytology
  • Sertoli Cells / drug effects
  • Sertoli Cells / metabolism
  • Spermatogenesis / drug effects
  • Testis / cytology
  • Testis / drug effects
  • Testis / metabolism

Substances

  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone, beta Subunit
  • Forkhead Box Protein L2
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxl2 protein, mouse
  • Gonadotropins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • activin A
  • Activins