Reproductive Biology of the Laboratory Mouse docx

Reproductive Biology of theReproductive Biology of the Laboratory Mouse Jim Yeadon, PhD Technical Information Scientist... Over 80 Years of Research ExpertiseLeveraging the power of gen

Reproductive Biology of the

Reproductive Biology of the 

Laboratory Mouse

Jim Yeadon, PhD Technical Information Scientist

Over 80 Years of Research Expertise

Leveraging the power of genetics in the  search for cures to human disease

Nonprofit research institute founded in 

1929 in Bar Harbor, Maine

http://phenome.jax.org/pub‐cgi/phenome/mpdcgi?rtn=strains/details&stocknum=000651

BALB/cJ – Best Characterized

BALB/cJ – Body Composition – Fat

Genetic Stability Program

US patent 7,592,501

JAX ®  Services JAX Services

Silver LM.  1995.  Mouse Genetics: Concepts and Applications, Oxford 

University Press.  Available online at   www.informatics.jax.org/silver

Sex Determination: Adult Mice

Sex Determination: Weanlings

Sex Determination: Newborns

Bulbourethral Gland Penis

Testis

Male Anatomy

Cook MJ.  1965.  The Anatomy of the Laboratory Mouse

http://www.informatics.jax.org/cookbook/

Female Anatomy

Oviduct

Uterine HornUterine Lumen

Cervix

(external genitalia)

Female Anatomy

Cook MJ.  1965.  The Anatomy of the Laboratory Mouse

http://www.informatics.jax.org/cookbook/

Oocyte (Egg) Production

• Females born with finite number of oocytesy

• At 6 weeks, each ovary has 10,000 oocytes

• 6‐16 oocytes ovulate over 2‐3 hours every

4‐5 days in mice

Reproductive States of Adult Female Mice

• Cycling Cycling Estrus & Ovulation underNeuroendocrine Control

• Pregnant

Neuroendocrine ControlHypothalamus

• Pseudopregnant

• Anestrus  (FSH & LH)

Pituitary Ovary

(E & P) (Inhibin)

The Estrous Cycle

Stages (~4 days per cycle) Cycle Interruption

– Timed matings g– Pseudopregnant females

• vasectomized males required

Grasso P et al.  1998. Biol Reprod 58(3):821‐5. PMID: 9510972

(Polymorphonuclear leukocytes) (cornified epithelial cells)

Proestrus

Champlin, Dorr, Gates. 1973. Biol Reprod 8(4):491‐4.  PMID: 4736343

Estrous Cycle Interruption: Mating

Estrous Cycle Interruption: Pheromones

– Size/age

– Size/age

Strain Productive 

matings

Weeks at  first mating

Litter  size

No. of  litters

Relative  fecundity

Response to  superovulation

Silver LM. 1995 Mouse Genetics: Concepts and Applications

Oxford University Press.     www.informatics.jax.org/silver/

Reproductive Success: Environment Effects

• Nutrition

• Light cycle and intensity (14hr light/10hr dark)

• Stress noise vibrations odors over‐handling

– Breeding cessation – Resorption of fetuses – Cannibalism of litters

• Health status

• Health status

• Seasonal effects

Seasonal variation in inbred mice

Month of the year

Breeding Tips for Low Producing Strains

Troubleshooting Non‐Reproductive Mice

Cryopreservation  y p

• Be assured that your mice are protected…cryopreserve them!

Can you afford not to preserve your strains?

• Successfully rescued ~100 strains from extinction

• Call us before it is too late!

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