Abstract |
The study of colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), a homodimeric serum growth factor that regulates mononuclear phagocytes and is involved in maternal-fetal interactions during pregnancy, was dramatically enhanced by the observation that the recessive mutation osteopetrosis, op, is an inactivating mutation in the CSF-1-encoding gene. Homozygous mutant (op/op) mice completely lack CSF-1, are osteopetrotic consequent to a deficiency in osteoclasts, have severely reduced numbers of macrophages, and have reduced fertility evident at the pre- and postimplantation stages of pregnancy. We show here that op/op females have a lactational defect, and consequently, although some are able to produce offspring, few nurture any pups and none feeds a full litter. This lactational defect is due to incomplete mammary gland ductal growth during pregnancy, a precocious development of the lobulo-alveolar system, and despite expression of milk proteins, a failure to switch to a lactational state. These data show that CSF-1 has a role in the development of the mammary gland during pregnancy.
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Authors | J W Pollard, L Hennighausen |
Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
(Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A)
Vol. 91
Issue 20
Pg. 9312-6
(Sep 27 1994)
ISSN: 0027-8424 [Print] United States |
PMID | 7937762
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- RNA, Messenger
- Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
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Topics |
- Animals
- Blotting, Northern
- Crosses, Genetic
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Genotype
- Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
(biosynthesis, genetics, physiology)
- Male
- Mammary Glands, Animal
(cytology, pathology, physiology)
- Mice
- Mice, Mutant Strains
- Osteopetrosis
(genetics, pathology)
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications
(pathology, physiopathology)
- Pregnancy, Animal
(physiology)
- RNA, Messenger
(analysis)
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