Transcription factor gene Pea3 regulates erectile function during copulation in mice Journal Article
| Authors: | Weinrich, J. A. P.; Tyagi, A.; Kenney, M. C.; DiCasoli, R. J.; Kaltschmidt, J. A. |
| Article Title: | Transcription factor gene Pea3 regulates erectile function during copulation in mice |
| Abstract: | Male mice with homozygous loss of function mutations of the transcription factor gene Pea3 (Pea3 null) are infertile due to their inability to inseminate females, however the specific deficits in male sexual behaviors that drive this phenotype are unknown. Here, the copulatory behavior of male mice (Pea3 null and control) with hormonally primed ovariectomized females was monitored via high-speed and high-resolution digital videography to assess for differences in female-directed social behaviors, gross sexual behaviors (mounting, thrusting), and erectile and ejaculatory function. Pea3 null male mice exhibit greatly reduced erectile function, with 44% of males displaying no visible erections during copulation, and 0% achieving sustained erections. As such, Pea3 null males are incapable of intromission and copulatory plug deposition, despite displaying largely normal female-directed social behaviors, mounting behaviors, and ejaculatory grasping behavior. Additionally, the organization and timing of thrusting behaviors is impaired in Pea3 null males. Our results show that the transcription factor gene Pea3 regulates the ability to achieve and maintain erections during copulation in mice. © 2022 Weinrich et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. |
| Keywords: | genetics; mouse; animal; animals; mice; transcription factor; physiology; transcription factors; erectile dysfunction; penile erection; penis erection; ejaculation; humans; human; male; female; copulation |
| Journal Title: | PLoS ONE |
| Volume: | 17 |
| Issue: | 10 |
| ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
| Publisher: | Public Library of Science |
| Date Published: | 2022-10-27 |
| Start Page: | e0276069 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pone.0276069 |
| PUBMED: | 36301850 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC9612450 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- Export Date: 1 December 2022 -- Source: Scopus |
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