Reduced fertility with impairment of early-stage embryos observed in mice lacking Lgr4 in epithelial tissues.

Lgr4 is one of the genes identified as novel G protein–coupled receptor genes designated Lgr4 – Lgr8 , with high homology with FSH receptor, LH receptor, and TSH receptor genes, but studies of Lgr4- mutant mice have suggested that Lgr4 has essential functions in development. This is the first report describing the relationship between the functions of Lgr4 and female reproductive systems.