Expression of angiogenic factors in the placenta of heme oxygenase-1 deficient mouse embryo.

Heme oxygenase 1 (Hmox1), the inducible form of heme degrading enzymes Hmoxs, is important for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. A growing body of evidence suggests an association between Hmox1 and angiogenesis, including placental angiogenesis. In this study, we examined the expression of two angiogenic factors in the placentas of Hmox1 deficient mouse embryos, whose expression was found to be related to that of Hmox1.

Determination and analysis of sex ratios in heme oxygenase 1 gene targeted mouse embryos.

Heme oxygenase 1 or Hmox1 enzyme is involved in catalyzing the first and rate-limiting step in heme breakdown reactions. Many studies have reported a partial lethality of Hmox1 knockout mice obtained from heterozygous breeding pairs. Similar results were obtained in our transgenic mice colony and a sex specific bias was observed in the favor of males in the adult mice.