All Phenotypes Gas2<tm1(GFP/cre/ERT2)Pzg> MGI Mouse

• follicles and corpus luteum of 6-week old females have poorly defined boundaries separating them from the surrounding stromal tissue

decreased corpora lutea number ( J:251841 )

• females show reduced number of corpora lutea

• when females are given superovulatory stimulation, very few corpora lutea are seen

abnormal granulosa cell morphology ( J:251841 )

• granulosa cell layers are severely disorganized at P12.5

decreased tertiary ovarian follicle number ( J:251841 )

• the percentage of large antral follicles are decreased

• when females are given superovulatory stimulation, very few follicles grow to form antrums

• however, the percentage of all other types of follicles are similar to wild-type, indicating that the formation of the follicular antrum and subsequent development are impaired

abnormal ovarian folliculogenesis ( J:251841 )

• the basal lamina surrounding developing follicles is severely defective at multiple stages of folliculogenesis

polyovular ovarian follicle ( J:251841 )

• presence of multiple-oocyte follicles in the ovaries

abnormal ovary development ( J:251841 )

• oocyte cyst breakdown is disrupted at P7.5, with mice showing large clusters of oocytes that persist in oocyte cysts within the ovarian cortical region

decreased ovulation rate ( J:251841 )

• females exhibit reduced rate of ovulation

• however, females exhibit normal levels of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, and despite a slightly lengthened estrous cycle and a prolonged proestrous phase, the difference in estrous cycle length is not statistically different

reduced female fertility ( J:251841 )

decreased litter size ( J:251841 )

• female breeders have reduced numbers of pups per litter, with an average litter size of 2.9 pups compared to 6 for wild-type females

abnormal basal lamina morphology ( J:251841 )

• organization of the basal laminal is disrupted during ovarian follicle growth, with basal lamina surrounding follicles appearing irregular at P7.5 and severely disorganized at P12.5

abnormal ovary morphology ( J:251841 )