Table 2. Fertility parameters in Vax1Lhrh-cre mice.
The total number of GnRH neurons in the brain was counted using IHC for GnRH in adult mice, # every second slide was quantified. Pubertal onset was evaluated by vaginal opening (VO) in females and preputial separation (PPS) in males. Gonadal weights were assessed in 12–20-week-old males and females. Circulating LH and FSH levels were measured in male and diestrus females. Fold change in circulating LH was evaluated in males and diestrus/metestrus females after GnRH and kisspeptin ip injections. Statistical analysis by Student’s t-test. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.
| Vax1flox/flox | Vax1Lhrh-cre | P | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GnRH neurons (adult)# | 208 ± 45, n=4 | 5 ± 3, n=31 | 0.013 (*) |
| Age at VO | 29.56 ± 0.5771, n=16 | 42.57 ± 5.009, n=7 | 0.0008 (***) |
| Age at PPS | 32.88 ± 0.7899, n=16 | 63 ± 13.48, n=5 | 0.0005 (***) |
| Ovary weight (g) | 0.050 ± 0.015, n=7 | 0.006 ± 0.003, n=6 | 0.02 (*) |
| Uterus weight (g) | 0.038 ± 0.012, n=5 | 0.004 ± 0.001, n=6 | 0.0114 (*) |
| Testis weight (g) | 0.224 ± 0.009, n=5 | 0.0341 ± 0.031, n=3 | 0.0003 (***) |
| FSH (ng/ml) male | 12.86 ± 1.46, n=6 | 0.26 ± 0.10, n=8 | 0.001 (***) |
| LH (ng/ml) male | 3.74 ± 1.36, n=6 | 0.36 ± 0.11, n=11 | 0.0038 (**) |
| FSH (ng/ml) female | 1.24 ± 0.24, n=24 | 0.27 ± 0.09, n=22 | 0.0006 (***) |
| LH (ng/ml) female | 0.39 ± 0.04, n=25 | 0.19 ± 0.04, n=26 | 0.0013 (**) |
| Fold change of LH in response to GnRH (male) | 16.99 ± 3.03, n=9 | 8.28 ± 2.50, n=5 | 0.0778 |
| Fold change of LH in response to GnRH (female) | 4.75 ± 1.44, n=5 | 21.21 ± 6.27, n=4 | 0.0242 (*) |
| Fold change of LH in response to kisspeptin (male) | 5.01 ± 0.69, n=12 | 1.84 ± 0.53, n=3 | 0.046 (*) |
| Fold change of LH in response to kisspeptin (female) | 8.29 ± 1.31, n=12 | 0.70 ± 0.10, n=8 | 0.0002 (***) |