Subfertility in androgen-insensitive female mice is rescued by transgenic FSH
K. A. Walters A B , M. C. Edwards A , M. Jimenez A , D. J. Handelsman A and C. M. Allan A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A ANZAC Research Institute, Andrology Laboratory, University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Hospital Road, Concord, NSW 2139, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: k.walters@unsw.edu.au
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 29(7) 1426-1434 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD16022
Submitted: 12 January 2016 Accepted: 30 May 2016 Published: 22 June 2016
Abstract
Androgens synergise with FSH in female reproduction but the nature of their interaction in ovarian function and fertility is not clear. In the present study, we investigated this interaction, notably whether higher endogenous FSH can overcome defective androgen actions in androgen receptor (AR)-knockout (ARKO) mice. We generated and investigated the reproductive function of mutant mice exhibiting AR resistance with or without expression of human transgenic FSH (Tg-FSH). On the background of inactivated AR signalling, which alone resulted in irregular oestrous cycles and reduced pups per litter, ovulation rates and antral follicle health, Tg-FSH expression restored follicle health, ovulation rates and litter size to wild-type levels. However, Tg-FSH was only able to partially rectify the abnormal oestrous cycles observed in ARKO females. Hence, elevated endogenous FSH rescued the intraovarian defects, and partially rescued the extraovarian defects due to androgen insensitivity. In addition, the observed increase in litter size in Tg-FSH females was not observed in the presence of AR signalling inactivation. In summary, the findings of the present study reveal that FSH can rescue impaired female fertility and ovarian function due to androgen insensitivity in female ARKO mice by maintaining follicle health and ovulation rates, and thereby optimal female fertility.
Additional keywords: androgen receptor, female fertility, ovarian function.
References
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