Intraperitoneal administration of mouse kisspeptin‐10 to mice during estrus stage induces pseudopregnancy

Abstract

AbstractA simple method for producing pseudopregnant mice supports pup production. In this study, pregnant ICR were obtained mice without mating with vasectomized mice via administration of mouse Kisspeptin‐10 (mKp‐10) and transferring blastocysts to the uterus. Blastocyst transfer after mKp‐10 administration to mice with gapping and reddish pink vagina resulted in 65.2% (15/23) pregnancies, and 39.1% (34/87) of the transferred blastocysts showed full‐term growth. Vaginal smears were observed for accurate estrus cycle determination, and subsequent administration of mKp10 to mice during the estrus stage and blastocyst transfer resulted in 95.2% (20/21) pregnancies and 50.7% (104/205) birth rates. Regarding 2‐cell transfer after administration of mKp‐10, 100% (8/8) of the mice became pregnant, and 45.0% (36/80) of the embryos were born. Administration of mKp‐10 to mice during the estrus stage is a convenient way to generate pseudopregnant mice.