Resolving the heterogeneity of diaphragmatic mesenchyme: a novel mouse model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a relatively common developmental defect with considerable mortality and morbidity. Formation of the diaphragm is a complex process that involves several cell types, each with different developmental origins. Owing to this complexity, the aetiology of CDH is not well understood.

Effects of CreERT2, 4-OH Tamoxifen, and Gender on CFU-F Assays.

Gene function in stem cell maintenance is often tested by inducing deletion via the Cre-loxP system. However, controls for Cre and other variables are frequently not included. Here we show that when cultured in the presence of 4-OH tamoxifen, bone and marrow cells containing the CreERT2 construct have a reduced colony forming ability.

The pancreas is altered by in utero androgen exposure: implications for clinical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Using an ovine model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), (pregnant ewes injected with testosterone propionate (TP) (100 mg twice weekly) from day (d)62 to d102 of d147 gestation (maternal injection - MI-TP)), we previously reported female offspring with normal glucose tolerance but hyperinsulinemia. We therefore examined insulin signalling and pancreatic morphology in these offspring using quantitative (Q) RT-PCR and western blotting. In addition the fetal pancreatic responses to MI-TP, and androgenic and estrogenic contributions to such responses (direct fetal injection (FI) of TP (20 mg) or diethylstilbestrol (DES) (20 mg) at d62 and d82 gestation) were assessed at d90 gestation.