We describe the development of a lean PCOS-like mouse model with dihydrotestosterone pellet to study the pathophysiology of PCOS and the offspring from these PCOS-like dams.
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Method Article
A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
In This Article
Summary
Abstract
Hyperandrogenemia plays a critical role in reproductive and metabolic function in females and is the hallmark of polycystic ovary syndrome. Developing a lean PCOS-like mouse model that mimics women with PCOS is clinically meaningful. In this protocol, we describe such a model. By inserting a 4 mm length of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) crystal powder pellet (total length of pellet is 8 mm), and replacing it monthly, we are able to produce a PCOS-like mouse model with serum DHT levels 2 fold higher than mice not implanted with DHT (no-DHT). We observed reproductive and metabolic dysfunction without changing body weight and body composition. While exhibiting a high degree of infertility, a small subset of these PCOS-like female mice can get pregnant and their offspring show delayed puberty and increased testosterone as adults. This PCOS-like lean mouse model is a useful tool to study the pathophysiology of PCOS and the offspring from these PCOS-like dams.
Introduction
Hyperandrogenism is the hallmark of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) according to NIH criteria and of the Androgen Excess and PCOS (AE-PCOS) Society. Women with PCOS have difficulty getting pregnant and have increased risk of pregnancy complications1. Even if they get pregnant, their female offspring have an adverse health outcomes2,3. Animal models have been developed using various strategies4,5,6,7,8,
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Protocol
Here, we present detailed protocols for DHT pellet preparation and insertion, and for reproductive and metabolic testing. The mice used in this study were a mixed background (C57/B6, CD1, 129Sv) and were maintained with food and water ad libitum in a 14/10 h light/dark cycle at 24 °C in the Broadway Research Building animal facility at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. All procedures were approved by the Johns Hopkins University Animal Care and Use Committee.
1. Create PCOS-like Mouse Model
- DHT pellet preparation
- Autoclave silastic tubing to sterilize. Cut silastic tubes ....
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Results
Serum DHT levels and Glucose tolerance test
DHT levels were measured from collected serum by both ELISA and by LC-MS according to protocol 1.24–1.25, and 2.9, 3.0. The DHT absolute values are different between mass spectrometry and ELISA, however, the relative fold (around 2-fold) of DHT vs no-DHT insertion is similar from both assays and across experiments15,23,.......
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Discussion
Hyperandrogenism is a key feature of PCOS. The serum DHT levels (two fold higher in DHT mice than in no-DHT mice) used in this protocol are lower than those reported by other investigators in previous studies and are calibrated to proportionally mimic women with PCOS5,19,20,21. Unlike other models, this 2-fold DHT model does not alter the body weight and whole body composition compared with no-.......
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Disclosures
Nothing to disclose.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (Grants R00-HD068130 to S.W.) and the Baltimore Diabetes Research Center: Pilots and Feasibility Grant (to S.W.).
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Materials
| Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystalline 5α-DHT powder | Sigma-Aldrich | A8380-1G | |
| Dow Corning Silastic tubing | Fisher Scientific | 11-189-15D | 0.04in/1mm inner diameter x0.085 in/2.15 mm outer diameter |
| Medical adhesive silicone | Factor II, InC. | A-100 | |
| Goggles, lab coats, gloves and masks. | |||
| 10 µL pipette tips without filter | USA Scientific | 11113700 | |
| Microscope slide for smear | Fisher Scientific | 12-550-003 | |
| Diff Quik for staining cells | Fisher Scientific | NC9979740 | |
| Lancet | Fisher Scientific | NC9416572 | |
| 3 mL Syring | Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), | 30985 | |
| attached needle: 20 G | BD | 305176 | |
| Ruler: any length than 10 cm with milimeter scale. | |||
| Xylazine | Vet one AnnSeA LA, MWI, Boise | NDC13985-704-10 | 100 mg/mL |
| Ketamine Hydrochloride | Hospira, Inc | NDC 0409-2051-05 | 100 mg/mL |
| Surgical staple | AutoClip® System, Fine Science Tool | 12020-00 | |
| Insulin syringe | BD | 329461 | 1/2 CC, low dose U-100 insulin syringe |
| Trocar | Innovative Research of America | MP-182 | |
| Microscope | Carl Zeiss Primo Star | 415500-0010-001 | Germany |
| Ear punch | Fisher Scientific | 13-812-201 | |
| Testosterone rat/mouse ELISA kit | IBL | B79174 | |
| DHT ELISA kit | Alpha Diagnostic International | 1940 | |
| One touch ultra glucometer | Life Scan, Inc. | ||
| One touch ultra test stripes | Life Scan, Inc. | ||
| Eppendorf tube | Fisher Scientific | 05-402-18 | |
| Razor blade | Fisher Scientific | 12-640 | |
| Clidox | Fisher Scientific | NC0089321 | |
| surgical underpad | Fisher Scientific | 50587953 | Manufacturer: Andwin Scientific 56616018 |
| Betadine Antiseptic Solution | Walgreens | ||
| 3M Vetbond (n-butyl cyanoacrylate) | 3M Science. Applied to Life |
References
- Palomba, S., de Wilde, M. A., Falbo, A., Koster, M. P., La Sala, G. B., Fauser, B. C. Pregnancy complications in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Hum. Reprod. Update. 21 (5), 575-592 (2015).
- Doherty, D. A., Newnham, J. P., Bower, C., Hart, R. Implicati....
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