Deletion of macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene induces down regulation of sex hormones and ultrastructural abnormalities in mouse testes

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multifunctional protein that acts as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, pituitary hormone, immunoregulator and mitogen. The MIF gene knockout (MIFKO) mouse has been used to study the MIF response in many tissues, such as with skin injury and spinal cord injury; however, there is little information about the MIFKO mouse testis. This study reports the levels of serum and intratesticular estradiol and testosterone, the ultrastructure of the testis, and preliminary findings from in vitro fertilization. Our results revealed a decrease in estradiol and testosterone levels and deformation in spermiogenesis, in the MIFKO mouse. These initial findings study may lead to a better understanding of the role that MIF plays in the mouse testis.