Figure 2.

Uterine deletion of Rac1 impairs normal embryo implantation resulting in female infertility. (a–c) Detection of Rac1 mRNA and protein level in Rac1^f/f and Rac1^d/d D4 uteri. *P<0.05. Scale bars, 100 μm. (d, e) Serum levels of E₂ and P₄ in Rac1^f/f and Rac1^d/d mice on D4 of pregnancy. (f) Immunohistochemical staining of P450SCC and 3β-HSD in Rac1^f/f and Rac1^d/d ovaries. Scale bars, 100 μm. (g) Litter sizes in Rac1^f/f and Rac1^d/d mice. (h, i) Implantation rate, number of implantation sites and representative uteri on D5 in Rac1^f/f and Rac1^d/d mice. Numerals above bars indicate numbers of dams with implantation sites over total number of dams examined. The black arrowheads indicate the weak blue band in Rac1^d/d mice. (j) Embryos recovered from Rac1^d/d uterus without signs of blue reaction on day 5. (k, l) Implantation rate, number of implantation sites and representative uteri on D6 in Rac1^f/f and Rac1^d/d mice. Numerals above bars indicate numbers of dams with implantation sites over total number of dams examined.