Published: Vol 7, Iss 11, Jun 5, 2017 DOI: 10.21769/BioProtoc.2317 Views: 8454
Reviewed by: Thirupugal GovindarajanAnonymous reviewer(s)
Protocol Collections
Comprehensive collections of detailed, peer-reviewed protocols focusing on specific topics
Related protocols
Assessing the Presence of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Mouse Spleen
Isabelle J. Marié [...] David E. Levy
Jun 5, 2022 2759 Views
Generation and Maintenance of Patient-Derived Endometrial Cancer Organoids
Mali Barbi [...] Semir Beyaz
Oct 20, 2024 1104 Views
Temporally and Spatially Controlled Age-Related Prostate Cancer Model in Mice
Sen Liu [...] Qiuyang Zhang
Jan 5, 2025 1578 Views
Abstract
The mouse pituitary isograft is a technique developed to administer persistent hormone stimulation, thereby increasing cellular proliferation in the mammary tissue (Christov et al., 1993). The pituitary isograft procedure was first described in ‘Induction of Mammary Cancer in Mice without the Mammary Tumor Agent by Isografts of Hypophyses’ by O. Mühlbock and L. M. Boot in 1959 (Muhlbock and Boot, 1959). Since then, the procedure has seen wide use. A pituitary gland is harvested posthumously from a donor mouse and implanted under the renal capsule of the recipient mouse through a small abdominal incision just below the last rib. Once the pituitary gland is implanted, it begins releasing hormones. These secretions increase serum levels of multiple hormones including prolactin, progesterone and 17β-estradiol (Christov et al., 1993). Although the effects of these hormones on cancer cell proliferation, growth, differentiation, and longevity are not well characterized, and, in some cases, controversial, the net effect of a pituitary isograft is to increase the proliferation of murine breast tissue depending upon strain specific characteristics (Lydon et al., 1999).
Below is a protocol describing how to perform the pituitary isograft procedure. After many of the steps, a time reference is listed in parentheses. Each reference corresponds to a time point in the embedded video of the procedure. (Video 1)
Background
Because of the simplicity, longevity, and applicability of the pituitary isograft procedure it has seen substantial and varied usage in the decades since its inception. Uniform, long term hormone stimulation in vivo is difficult to achieve; pituitary isografts deliver this capability. Once implanted pituitary isografts remain effective and safe for the duration of the experimental lifespan.
Materials and Reagents
Equipment
Procedure
Acknowledgments
This protocol was developed in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical School. We thank David Edwards for assistance in the production of the procedure video.
References
Article Information
Copyright
© 2017 The Authors; exclusive licensee Bio-protocol LLC.
How to cite
Walker, C., Hong, Y., Kittrell, F., Medina, D., Edwards, D. and Behbod, F. (2017). Pituitary Isograft Transplantation in Mice. Bio-protocol 7(11): e2317. DOI: 10.21769/BioProtoc.2317.
Category
Cancer Biology > General technique > Animal models
Do you have any questions about this protocol?
Post your question to gather feedback from the community. We will also invite the authors of this article to respond.
Tips for asking effective questions
+ Description
Write a detailed description. Include all information that will help others answer your question including experimental processes, conditions, and relevant images.
Share
Bluesky
X
Copy link