Sexual differentiation in the male and female mouse from days 0 to 21: a detailed and novel morphometric description.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

We hypothesized that a significant portion of sexual differentiation of mouse external genitalia occurs postnatally. To establish a baseline of normal development to which genital abnormalities could be compared, we determined morphometric measurements and morphological descriptions of the postnatal period of sexual differentiation in mice from birth to 21 days postnatally.

Materials and methods

The external genitalia of male and female CD-1® mice were serially sectioned for histological staining. Mice were studied by age group, including ages 0 to 1, 2 to 3, 4 to 5, 10 and 21 days. Three-dimensional reconstructions were created to visually compare differences. Morphometric measurements were made of the distal mouse external genitalia and compared across age groups,

SUBMITTER: Schlomer BJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4104111 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature