mortality/aging
N |
• mice exhibit no perinatal lethality, unlike Mex3btm1.2Mbld homozygotes
|
growth/size/body
N |
• mice exhibit no defect in postnatal growth, unlike Mex3btm1.2Mbld homozygotes
|
reproductive system
• tubule lumens are obstructed at stages V and VIII whereas those of control mice are empty (stages VIII and XI)
• at 1 and 2 months of age, mice exhibit obstructed seminiferous tubules at a ratio that is very similar to that seen in male Mex3btm1.2Mbld homozygotes
|
• at 1 and 2 months of age, mice exhibit a decreased ratio between germ and Sertoli cells, in the same order of magnitude as that seen in Mex3btm1.2Mbld homozygotes
|
• mice exhibit altered permeability of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) leading to the production of anti-sperm antibodies
|
• upon breeding with Mex3btm1.1Mbld female homozygotes, males exhibit a reduction in fertility similar to that observed upon breeding of Mex3btm1.2Mbld male homozygotes with wild-type females
|
endocrine/exocrine glands
• at 1 and 2 months of age, mice exhibit obstructed seminiferous tubules at a ratio that is very similar to that seen in male Mex3btm1.2Mbld homozygotes
• tubule lumens are obstructed at stages V and VIII whereas those of control mice are empty (stages VIII and XI)
|
• at 1 and 2 months of age, mice exhibit a decreased ratio between germ and Sertoli cells, in the same order of magnitude as that seen in Mex3btm1.2Mbld homozygotes
|
• mice exhibit altered permeability of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) leading to the production of anti-sperm antibodies
|
immune system
• mice exhibit increased levels of anti-sperm cell antibodies in the serum, indicating that BTB integrity is impaired
|