Male mouse lacking Y chromosome genesAMANDA SHELL
In male mice without Y chromosomes, two genes from other chromosomes are sufficient to reinstate the formation of sperm that can successfully fertilize an egg with assisted reproduction methods. The results, published today (January 28) in Science, suggest that these two genes and their Y chromosome counterparts may be functionally redundant.
This latest study, led by Monika Ward of the University of Hawaii and her colleagues, builds on the group’s 2014 study showing that restricting the Y chromosome’s functions to two genes, Sry and Eif2s3y, was sufficient to generate sperm that were functional with assisted reproduction methods.
The present study “helps us understand the mechanisms of fertility better,” said Richard Behringer of the MD Anderson Cancer Center who was not involved with the work. “In ...
