Fig. 8. Ovarian defects in Hsf2^–/– females. (A) Abnormally elevated levels of luteinizing hormone receptor (LH-R) mRNAs in Hsf2^–/– with anovulatory problems. Seven Hsf2^+/+ and seven Hsf2^–/– 5-month-old females were mated with OF1 males. On the day of plug detection, eggs were harvested and counted in the ampulla. In parallel, LH-R mRNA levels were analyzed by RT–PCR. The relative mRNA concentration is given in arbitrary units. Value 1 was attributed to the ovary exhibiting the lowest expression level. Each plot corresponds to the average determined from three or four PCR experiments (except for female B that was tested only once). Error bars are indicated. Dense hatched bars, Hsf2^–/– females that produced no eggs or only abnormal fragmented eggs. Hatched bars, Hsf2^–/– females that produced a few (an average of two) fertilized eggs. Empty bars, Hsf2^+/+ females with no ovulated fertilized eggs. Filled bars, Hsf2^+/+ females with normal ovulation scores and a normal number of fertilized eggs. (B) Paraffin section of an Hsf2^–/– ovary with marked ovulatory problems: low number of primary (prf) and pre-antral (paf) follicles. (C) A pre-antral hemorrhagic follicle in the section of an Hsf2^–/– ovary which never gave offspring. Oo, oocyte; Gr, granulosa cells; Bl, blood.