Characterization of βhCG transgenic mice.

<p>(A) Genomic PCR for the βhCG transgene, using DNA derived from the peripheral blood cells of F1 mice (see text for details). A PCR product (∼800 bp) was observed in about 50% of the animals, as expected. TG: Transgenic mice; WT: Wild-type mice. M: 100 bp ladder. (B) Serum βhCG levels in TG and WT mice (n = 10) as a function of age. Arithmetic means±standard errors are shown. (C) Percentage change in body weight in TG and WT mice (n = 10) as a function of age. Arithmetic means±standard errors are shown. *p<0.05 v/s corresponding weight change in wild-type mice. (D) Serum prolactin levels in TG and WT mice (n = 10) as a function of age. Arithmetic means±standard errors are shown. *p<0.05 v/s respective prolactin levels in wild-type mice. (E) Hemotoxylin-eosin stained histological sections of the (i, ii) ovaries (Bars: 100 µm) and (iii, iv) pituitaries (Bars: 20 µm) of (i, iii) TG and (ii, iv) WT female mice at 10 months of age.