Cre Deleter Mouse Lines for Conditional Knockout of Genes in Testis Cell Types

Abstract

Spermatogenesis is a highly regulated process in male reproduction that involves interactions among germ cells and multiple somatic cell types culminating in production of sperm in testis. Sertoli cells and different stages of germ cells constantly communicate. Leydig cells in the interstitium produce testosterone. To date, several testis cell-specific Cre deleter mouse lines have been developed. These critical genetic tools allow the investigators to delineate the developmental and cell-specific roles of genes involved in spermatogenesis.

Keywords: Floxed allele; Germ cell; Knockin; Leydig cell; Peritubular myoid cell; Sertoli cell; Transgene.