RGD Reference Report - Alpha-fetoprotein, the major fetal serum protein, is not essential for embryonic development but is required for female fertility. - Rat Genome Database

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Alpha-fetoprotein, the major fetal serum protein, is not essential for embryonic development but is required for female fertility.

Authors: Gabant, P  Forrester, L  Nichols, J  Van Reeth, T  De Mees, C  Pajack, B  Watt, A  Smitz, J  Alexandre, H  Szpirer, C  Szpirer, J 
Citation: Gabant P, etal., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2002 Oct 1;99(20):12865-70. Epub 2002 Sep 24.
RGD ID: 1300268
Pubmed: PMID:12297623   (View Abstract at PubMed)
PMCID: PMC130551   (View Article at PubMed Central)
DOI: DOI:10.1073/pnas.202215399   (Journal Full-text)

The alpha-fetoprotein gene (Afp) is a member of a multigenic family that comprises the related genes encoding albumin, alpha-albumin, and vitamin D binding protein. The biological role of this major embryonic serum protein is unknown although numerous speculations have been made. We have used gene targeting to show that AFP is not required for embryonic development. AFP null embryos develop normally, and individually transplanted homozygous embryos can develop in an AFP-deficient microenvironment. Whereas mutant homozygous adult males are viable and fertile, AFP null females are infertile. Our analyses of these mice indicate that the defect is caused by a dysfunction of the hypothalamic/pituitary system, leading to anovulation.

RGD Manual Disease Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
Female Infertility  ISOAfp (Mus musculus)1300268; 1300268 RGD 
Female Infertility  IMP 1300268 RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Afp  (alpha-fetoprotein)

Genes (Mus musculus)
Afp  (alpha fetoprotein)

Genes (Homo sapiens)
AFP  (alpha fetoprotein)

Objects referenced in this article
Gene Afm afamin Mus musculus

Additional Information