AQP4の欠損がメスのマウスで低妊孕率を誘発する

マウスの場合、アクアポリン４は、妊孕率と関連しているらしいという報告です

 

Fertil Steril. 2009 Nov;92(5):1736-43. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.07.1785. Epub 2008 Oct 31.

Aquaporin-4 deficiency induces subfertility in female mice.

Sun XL¹, Zhang J, Fan Y, Ding JH, Sha JH, Hu G.

Author information

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effects of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) on female fertility.

DESIGN:

Prospective, randomized animal study.

SETTING:

Medical university.

ANIMAL(S):

AQP4(+/+) and AQP4(-/-) female mice.

INTERVENTION(S):

Eight- to 10-week-old virgin female AQP4(+/+) and AQP4(-/-) mice were subjected to a mating study. Superovulation was carried out on 4-week-old AQP4(+/+) and AQP4(-/-) mice. The protocol consisted of a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection with 5 units of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) for 48 hours, followed by 5 units of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for an additional 14 or 48 hours.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):

Pregnancy success, oocyte count, morphological changes in ovaries and uteri, and alterations of estrous cycle.

RESULT(S):

AQP4-null mice displayed subfertility as evidenced by a lower rate of pregnancy and decreased litter size. Further studies revealed that in AQP4-null mice, there were fewer numbers of antral follicles and corpora lutea in the ovaries and that uteri presented as hyporeactive to gonadotropins. In addition, in AQP4-null mice, superovulation induced by hCG and PMSG yielded fewer numbers of antral follicles, atretic follicles, corpora lutea, and oocytes in ovaries, and uteri exhibited a decreased response to exogenous gonadotropins.

CONCLUSION(S):

AQP4 deficiency induces subfertility in female mice.