Ovarian physiology: What we have learnt from the mouse ...

Generation of transgenic mice that lack functional copies of one or several endogenous genes, or that overexpress an exogenous gene, as well as the ph enotypic characterization of spontaneous mutations, has recently allowed ph ysiologists to investigate the functional role of these genes in vivo. In t his review, we describe mutations that specifically affect fertility in fem ale mice. some mutations affect sexual differentiation and organogenesis of the ovaries, basal and terminal follicular growth and atresia, and/or ovul ation. Other mutations indirectly alter female fertility by interacting wit h metabolism. Among all the mutations that have been shown to alter female fertility, some;of them were expected (FSH beta, estradiol receptor), while others were serendipitous (Nhlh2, CSF1). Finally, transgenic technology pr oves useful to produce animal models of human diseases such as Turner's syn drome or polycystic ovaries.