Generation and characterization of androgen receptor knockout (ARKO) mice: An in vivo model for the study of androgen functions in selective tissues

Shuyuan Yeh, Meng Yin Tsai, Qingquan Xu, Xiao Min Mu, Henry Lardy, Ko En Huang, Hank Lin, Shauh Der Yeh, Saleh Altuwaijri, Xinchang Zhou, Lianping Xing, Brendan F. Boyce, Mien Chie Hung, Su Zhang, Lin Gan, Chawnshang Chang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

559 Scopus citations

Abstract

By using a cre-lox conditional knockout strategy, we report here the generation of androgen receptor knockout (ARKO) mice. Phenotype analysis shows that ARKO male mice have a female-like appearance and body weight. Their testes are 80% smaller and serum testosterone concentrations are lower than in wild-type (wt) mice. Spermatogenesis is arrested at pachytene spermatocytes. The number and size of adipocytes are also different between the wt and ARKO mice. Cancellous bone volumes of ARKO male mice are reduced compared with wt littermates. In addition, we found the average number of pups per litter in homologous and heterozygous ARKO female mice is lower than in wt female mice, suggesting potential defects in female fertility and/or ovulation. The cre-lox ARKO mouse provides a much-needed in vivo animal model to study androgen functions in the selective androgen target tissues in female or male mice.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)13498-13503
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume99
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 15 2002
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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