Uhrin P, Schöfer C, Zaujec J, Ryban L, Hilpert M, Weipoltshammer K, Jerabek I, Pirtzkall I, Furtmüller M, Dewerchin M, Binder BR, Geiger M. Male fertility and protein C inhibitor/plasminogen activator inhibitor-3 (PCI): localization of PCI in mouse testis and failure of single plasminogen activator knockout to restore spermatogenesis in PCI-deficient mice.
Fertil Steril 2007;
88:1049-57. [PMID:
17434507 DOI:
10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.11.193]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2006] [Revised: 11/24/2006] [Accepted: 11/30/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the mechanisms responsible for the testicular abnormalities and infertility of previously generated male protein C inhibitor (PCI)-deficient mice.
DESIGN
Determination of the localization of PCI in the reproductive organs of wild-type males. Generation of double knockout mice lacking the protease inhibitor PCI and one plasminogen activator, either urokinase (uPA) or tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), both of which are PCI-target proteases.
SETTING
Animal research and histologic analysis.
ANIMAL(S)
Male mice of desired genotype.
INTERVENTION(S)
Fertility testing of double knockout mice.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Infertility of PCI(-/-)uPA(-/-) and PCI(-/-)tPA(-/-) double knockout mice.
RESULT(S)
In the testes of wild-type males PCI was detected in spermatocytes of prophase I, as well as in late spermatids and mature spermatozoa, but absent from somatic cells. All PCI(-/-) uPA(-/-) and PCI(-/-) tPA(-/-) male mice were infertile and histologic analysis of testis showed similar alterations as previously described for PCI(-/-) mice.
CONCLUSION(S)
The abnormal spermatogenesis of PCI (plasminogen activator inhibitor-3)-deficient mice cannot be rescued by single plasminogen activator knockout.
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