Subfertility in androgen-insensitive female mice is rescued by transgenic FSH.
Reprod Fertil Dev
; 29(7): 1426-1434, 2017 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27328025
ABSTRACT
Androgens synergise with FSH in female reproduction but the nature of their interaction in ovarian function and fertility is not clear. In the present study, we investigated this interaction, notably whether higher endogenous FSH can overcome defective androgen actions in androgen receptor (AR)-knockout (ARKO) mice. We generated and investigated the reproductive function of mutant mice exhibiting AR resistance with or without expression of human transgenic FSH (Tg-FSH). On the background of inactivated AR signalling, which alone resulted in irregular oestrous cycles and reduced pups per litter, ovulation rates and antral follicle health, Tg-FSH expression restored follicle health, ovulation rates and litter size to wild-type levels. However, Tg-FSH was only able to partially rectify the abnormal oestrous cycles observed in ARKO females. Hence, elevated endogenous FSH rescued the intraovarian defects, and partially rescued the extraovarian defects due to androgen insensitivity. In addition, the observed increase in litter size in Tg-FSH females was not observed in the presence of AR signalling inactivation. In summary, the findings of the present study reveal that FSH can rescue impaired female fertility and ovarian function due to androgen insensitivity in female ARKO mice by maintaining follicle health and ovulation rates, and thereby optimal female fertility.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Receptors, Androgen
/
Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human
/
Infertility, Female
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Pregnancy
Language:
En
Journal:
Reprod Fertil Dev
Journal subject:
MEDICINA REPRODUTIVA
Year:
2017
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Australia