Ichii, Osamu Otsuka-Kanazawa, Saori Chihara, Masataka Nakamura, Teppei Kon, Yasuhiro Otani, Yuki MRL/MpJ-<i>Fas</i><sup>lpr</sup> mice show abnormalities in ovarian function and morphology with the progression of autoimmune disease <div><p></p><p>The immune system is known to affect reproductive function, and maternal–fetal immune tolerance is essential for a successful pregnancy. To investigate the relationship between autoimmune disease and female reproductive function, we performed a comparative analysis of the ovarian phenotypes for C57BL/6 mice, autoimmune disease-prone MRL/MpJ (MRL/+) mice and congenic MRL/MpJ-<i>Fas<sup>lpr</sup></i> (MRL/lpr) mice harboring a mutation in the <i>Fas</i> gene that speeds disease onset. Both MRL-background strains showed earlier vaginal opening than C57BL/6 mice. The estrous cycle became irregular by 6 and 12 months of age in MRL/lpr mice and mice of the other two strains, respectively. Histological analysis at 3 months revealed that the number of primordial follicles was smaller in MRL-background mice than in C57BL/6 mice after 3 months. In addition, MRL/lpr and MRL/+ mice displayed lower numbers of ovarian follicles and corpora lutea at 3 and 6 months, and 6 and 12 months, respectively, than that in age-matched C57BL/6 mice. MRL/lpr and MRL/+ mice developed ovarian interstitial glands after 3 and 6 months, respectively. In particular, MRL/lpr mice showed numerous infiltrating lymphocytes within the ovarian interstitia, and partially stratified ovarian surface epithelia with more developed microvilli than that observed in C57BL/6 mice at 6 months. No significant differences in serum hormone levels were observed between the strains. In conclusion, MRL/lpr mice display altered ovarian development, morphology and function consistent with the progression of severe autoimmune disease, as these findings are less severe in MRL/+ counterparts.</p></div> 6 months;12 months;3 months;mrl;serum hormone levels;C 57BL mice;speeds disease onset 2015-08-18
    https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/MRL_MpJ_i_Fas_i_sup_lpr_sup_mice_show_abnormalities_in_ovarian_function_and_morphology_with_the_progression_of_autoimmune_disease/1569148
10.6084/m9.figshare.1569148.v1