Analysis of CpG island methylation of INSL3 gene in cryptorchid mice induced by DEHP

Objective To investigate the role of CpG island methylation of INSL3 gene in cryp-torchid mice induced by DEHP. Methods CpG islands in INSL3 gene were predicted with MethPrim-er software. The status of methylation of CpG islands in INSL3 gene was analyzed using methylation-specific PCR(MS-PCR). The levels of INSL3 mRNA in rats of the experimental and control group were detected and compared by RT-PCR methods. Results The methylated CpG islands in the first exon of INSL3 were merely noted in cryptorchid mice, while not in normal mice. The levels of INSL3 mRNA reduced significantly in cryptorchid mice. Conclusions The hypermethylation of CpO islands in the first exon of INSL3 may probably cause low INSL3 expression in cryptorchid mice, which can be closely related with the pathogenesis of cryptorchid. Key words: Insulin-like factor 3;  Cryptorchidsm;  DNA methylation