reproductive system
• 47% of 12 to 30 wk old mutant mice exhibit varying degrees of germ cell degeneration in 1% to 50% of seminiferous tubules
• degeneration is predominantly through apoptosis
• increase in number of apoptotic pachytene spermatocytes
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• present but abnormal
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• compromised or absent spermiogenesis in many seminiferous tubules
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• granulomatous inflammation is sometimes noted in the epididymal tubules of breeding male mice
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• male mice are initially fertile, however, 2 of 16 mice become infertile with age; females are fertile
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immune system
• sometimes noted in the epididymal tubules of breeding male mice
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endocrine/exocrine glands
cellular
• 47% of 12 to 30 wk old mutant mice exhibit varying degrees of germ cell degeneration in 1% to 50% of seminiferous tubules
• degeneration is predominantly through apoptosis
• increase in number of apoptotic pachytene spermatocytes
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