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Fertility Control pp 179–194Cite as

Mouse Models as Tools in Fertility Research and Male-Based Contraceptive Development

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Part of the book series: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology ((HEP,volume 198))

Abstract

The production of functional spermatozoa is a complex process requiring the coordinated expression of thousands of genes. It is likely that the intricate nature of these interactions contributes to the large number of idiopathic male infertility cases seen in humans. Conversely, the complexity of the highly regulated and interconnected processes of spermatogenesis and posttesticular sperm maturation events offers opportunities for the development of male-based contraceptive targets. The recent advances in genetic manipulation technologies and the completion of the human and mouse genome sequencing programs have provided scientists with sophisticated ways to generate mouse models for the study of basic biological mechanisms, in order to understand disease pathology and develop novel therapeutic approaches. The three common types of mouse model used for medical research are transgenic, knockout/knockin, and chemical-induced point mutant mice. Each type has relative strengths and weaknesses with respect to its fidelity to the disease processes in humans. In this chapter, we focus on the utility of the different types of mouse model in obtaining a better understanding of the mechanisms that control spermatogenesis and developing male-based contraceptive regimens.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia

    Duangporn Jamsai

  2. The Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development, Monash University, Level 3, Building 76, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia

    Moira K. O’Bryan

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  1. Duangporn Jamsai
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  2. Moira K. O’Bryan
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Correspondence to Moira K. O’Bryan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Women's Health Care Research, Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Berlin, 13342, Berlin, Germany

    Ursula-F. Habenicht

  2. ARC Centre of Excellence in, Biotechnology & Development, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, 2308, New South Wales, Australia

    R. John Aitken

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Jamsai, D., O’Bryan, M.K. (2010). Mouse Models as Tools in Fertility Research and Male-Based Contraceptive Development. In: Habenicht, UF., Aitken, R. (eds) Fertility Control. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 198. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02062-9_10

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