Impotence induced by a single gene mutation.

Inbred male mice homozygous for the stubby gene mutation were reported to be sterile nineteen years ago. However, the basis of the sterility has not been identified since testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis are normal. In the present studies, the sexual behavior of stubby mice and their coisogenic, normal siblings was compared quantitatively. The experimental observations provided unequivocal evidence that the phenotypic basis of the sterility of stubby mice is impotency. Stubby mice represent the first animal model for the study of impotence and provide the first evidence of an autosomal gene mutation that has a primary effect on male sexual behavior.