Defects in reproductive functions in PACAP-deficient female mice

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a highly conserved neuropeptide and widely expressed in both brain and peripheral tissues, including several reproductive organs (e.g., testis and ovary). PACAP stimulates syntheses of several sexual hormones and steroids, suggesting it has possible roles in reproductive function. In this study, the role of PACAP in female reproductive functions such as fertility, mating behavior and maternal behaviors were investigated by using mice lacking PACAP (PACAP −/−). PACAP −/− females showed reduced fertility (the number of parturitions relative to the number of pairings). Mating experiments using vasectomized males revealed that mating frequency and its intervals in some PACAP −/− females were quite different (zero to eight times/4 weeks), whereas the frequency was relatively constant (two to three times/4 weeks) in wild-type females. In PACAP −/− females, maternal crouching behavior tended to decrease compared to wild-type females, although the influence of litter size on maternal behavior needs to be considered. These data suggest a role for endogenous PACAP in female reproductive processes.