Table 2 Phenotypes of αERKO and βERKO mice

Testis

Progressive dilation and degradation of tubules, low

Normal structure, normal sperm count and fertility

sperm count, nonfunctional sperm

Uterus

Immature, unresponsive to estradiol

Normal development and response to estrogen

Ovary

Enlarged, hemorrhagic cysts, follicles arrested at

Subfertile, infrequent and inefficient ovulation; normal

preantral stage, no corpora lutea, no ovulation, elevated

estrogen and T

serum estrogen and T levels

Mammary, female

Ducts do not develop beyond epithelial rudiment at

Normal, fully functional. Able to nurse offspring

nipple, no alveolar development

Pituitary

FSHβ, LHβ, αGSU, mRNAs all elevated, prolactin

Normal serum gonadotropin levels

mRNA reduced

Cardiovascular (male)

Lower basal nitric oxide, estrogen protection in vascular

?

injury not lost. Increase in calcium channels, delayed

cardiac depolarization

Bone

Shorter; female, smaller diameter; male, lower density

Normal

Brain

Male, no intromission, ejaculation decreased agression;

Normal sexual behavior

female, no receptive behaviors