{"id":42388,"date":"2016-01-28T09:00:52","date_gmt":"2016-01-28T19:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=42388"},"modified":"2020-03-13T15:52:47","modified_gmt":"2020-03-14T01:52:47","slug":"y-gene-not-necessary-for-assisted-reproduction-of-mice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2016\/01\/28\/y-gene-not-necessary-for-assisted-reproduction-of-mice\/","title":{"rendered":"Y gene not necessary for assisted reproduction of mice"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Three males lacking any Y chromosome genes produced by ROSI<\/abbr>. The males shown on the left and right are 2 years and 1 month old, and the male in the center is 1 year and 10 months old. (photo credit: Yasuhiro Yamauchi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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ROSI<\/abbr> sequence. (A). Round spermatid is identified among other cells present in testicular cell suspension. (B) Injection pipette with round spermatid nuclei inside is positioned close to oocyte held by holding pipette. (C) Injection pipette punctured oocyte external coat, zona pellucida, and presses on oocyte membrane. (D) Injection pipette penetrated oocyte membrane and deposits round spermatid nuclei within the ooplasm. (E) Injection pipette is being withdrawn from oocyte. (F) Oocyte immediately after successful round spermatid injection.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Y chromosome is a symbol of maleness, present only in males and encoding genes important for male reproduction. But a new study has shown that live mouse progeny can be generated with assisted reproduction using germ cells from males which do not have any Y chromosome genes. This discovery adds a new light to discussions on Y chromosome gene function and evolution. It supports the hypothesis that Y chromosome genes can be replaced by that encoded on other chromosomes.<\/p>\n

Two years ago, the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at Mānoa team led by Monika A. Ward<\/strong>, professor at the Institute for Biogenesis Research<\/a>, John A. Burns School of Medicine, demonstrated that only two genes of the Y chromosome, the testis determinant factor Sry<\/abbr> and the spermatogonial proliferation factor Eif2s3y<\/abbr>, were needed for male mice to sire offspring with assisted fertilization. Now, the same team, with a collaborating researcher from France, Michael Mitchell from INSERM<\/abbr><\/a>, Marseille, took an additional step and produced males completely devoid of the entire Y chromosome.<\/p>\n

In this new study, scheduled for online publication in the journal Science<\/em> on January 29, 2016, Ward and her UH<\/abbr> colleagues describe how they generated the “No Y” males and define the ability of these males to produce gametes and sire offspring.<\/p>\n

Shedding new light on Y chromosome gene function and evolution<\/h2>\n

“Most of the mouse Y chromosome genes are necessary for development of mature sperm and normal fertilization, both in mice and in humans,” Ward said. “However, when it comes to assisted reproduction, we have now shown that in the mouse the Y chromosome contribution is not necessary.”<\/p>\n

The study provides new important insights into Y chromosome gene function and evolution. It supports the existence of functional redundancy between the Y chromosome genes and their homologues encoded on other chromosomes. “This is good news,” Ward said, “because it suggests that there are back-up strategies within genomes, which are normally silent but are capable of taking over under certain circumstances. We revealed two of these strategies by genome manipulation. Whether such alternative pathways would ever be activated without human help, for example in response to environmental changes, is unknown. But it is certainly possible and has already happened for two rodent species which lost their Y chromosomes.”<\/p>\n

The development of assisted reproduction technologies (ART<\/abbr>) allows bypassing various steps of normal fertilization by using immotile, non-viable, or immature gametes. The newest study as well as Ward’s preceding report (Science<\/em> 2014 Jan 3;343(6166):69-72) support that in the mouse ROSI<\/abbr> is a successful and efficient form or ART<\/abbr>. In humans, ROSI<\/abbr> is considered experimental due to concerns regarding the safety of injecting immature germ cells and other technical difficulties. The researchers hope that the success in mouse studies may spark the re-evaluation of human ROSI<\/abbr> for its suitability to become an option for overcoming male infertility in the future.<\/p>\n

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