The complete control of murine pregnancy from embryo implantation to parturition

Reproduction. 2012 Mar;143(3):411-5. doi: 10.1530/REP-11-0288. Epub 2011 Dec 23.

Abstract

The ovary is the main secretory source of progestin and estrogen and is indispensable to the maintenance of all events of pregnancy in mice. The purpose of this study was to control all processes of pregnancy in mice, from embryo implantation to parturition, without ovaries. The ovaries were removed before embryo implantation, and a single injection of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was given. Embryo implantation was induced by leukemia inhibitory factor, which can substitute 17β-estradiol (E(2)). Continuous exposure to E(2) was necessary at mid-pregnancy, when placentation was completed. All mice sustained pregnancy without ovaries before parturition, which was initiated by the removal of E(2) and MPA. Murine pregnancy is a complicated process involving embryo implantation, placentation, and parturition. Complete control of pregnancy was achieved with the simple treatment of MPA and E(2) after induction of embryo implantation. Here, time-dependent events in the uterus during pregnancy could be realized without the ovaries, because the initiation of each event could be stringently controlled by hormonal treatments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Embryo Implantation / drug effects
  • Embryo Implantation / physiology*
  • Estradiol / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Hormones / pharmacology*
  • Litter Size / drug effects
  • Mice* / physiology
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Ovariectomy
  • Parturition / drug effects
  • Parturition / physiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Pregnancy, Animal*

Substances

  • Hormones
  • Estradiol