Cj. Ormandy et al., NULL MUTATION OF THE PROLACTIN RECEPTOR GENE PRODUCES MULTIPLE REPRODUCTIVE DEFECTS IN THE MOUSE, Genes & development, 11(2), 1997, pp. 167-178
Mice carrying a germ-line null mutation of the prolactin receptor gene
have been produced by gene targeting in embryonic stem cells. Heteroz
ygous females showed almost complete failure of lactation attributable
to greatly reduced mammary gland development after their first, but n
ot subsequent, pregnancies. Homozygous females were sterile owing to a
complete failure of embryonic implantation. Moreover, they presented
multiple reproductive abnormalities, including irregular cycles, reduc
ed fertilization rates, defective preimplantation embryonic developmen
t, and lack of pseudopregnancy. Half of the homozygous males were infe
rtile or showed reduced fertility. This work establishes the prolactin
receptor as a key regulator of mammalian reproduction, and provides t
he first total ablation model to further study the role of the prolact
in receptor and its ligands.