Generation of an all-exon Esr2 deleted mouse line: Effects on fertility

• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.06.063
• Publication Date: 2020-06-23T02:09:04Z
• Authors: Per Antonson; Leticia Montanhol...; Mohamed M. Shamekh; Patricia Humire; Matti Poutanen; Claes Ohlsson; Ivan Nalvarte; Jan-Åke Gustafsson
• Keywords: Estrogen receptor alpha

Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), encoded by the Esr2 gene, is one of two nuclear receptors that mediate functions steroid hormone estradiol. The binding estradiol to results in enhanced transcription many genes have estrogen response elements promoter or enhancer regions. Several genetically modified mouse lines with mutations deletions exons gene been developed and from analysis these are not completely consistent, especially regarding ERβ's role fertility. To address controversies, we used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system make a deletion entire determined effect this mutation on We show female deleted mice, Esr2ΔE1-10, subfertile at young age, fewer litters smaller litter size, they become infertile/have severely reduced fertility around six months while male Esr2ΔE1-10 mice fertile. Ovaries than those wild-type littermates morphology ovary displays very few corpora lutea, indicating defect ovulation. also levels diestrus, phase estrous cycle when expected start increase before Our verify ERβ has an important function reproduction, likely as regulator serum levels, its loss does affect reproductive function.