GERM-CELL DEFICIENT (GCD) MOUSE AS A MODEL OF PREMATURE OVARIAN FAILURE

Premature ovarian failure (POF) in women is characterized as menopause commencing before age 35. Although some cases of POF appear to be inh erited, no experimental animal models of familial POF are available. R ecently a mouse mutation has been identified that results in infertili ty due to a lack of primordial germ cells arising in early embryonic d evelopment. It was observed that shortly after puberty, females homozy gous for this mutation entered reproductive senescence as defined by h igh levels of circulating gonadotropins, inability to respond either h ormonally or functionally to superovulation, and a disrupted estrous c ycle. Also, the ovaries completely lacked developing follicles and the endometrium was inactive. However, these mice had undergone complete sexual development as determined by age of vaginal opening, mammary gl and histology, and sexual behavior. Thus, these animals closely mimic familial premature ovarian failure and may be useful models for study of the pathogenesis and treatment of this condition.