Genes regulating testis size.
The studies described here provide information about the genetic and morphological bases for the significant differences in testis size among three closely related C57BL mouse substrains: C57BL/6J, C57BL/6ByJ, and C57BL/10J. C57BL/6J mice have normal-size testes while the other two substrains have small-size testes. Genes controlling testis size are postulated to be among the estimated forty genes that differ between the C57BL/6J and C57BL/6ByJ substrains. The number of genes involved in testis size regulation was examined using recombinant inbred mouse strains. An investigation of the role of Y chromosome genes was performed by completing molecular analyses with a mouse Y chromosome-specific probe. Sertoli and germ cell counts provided insight into the morphological basis for the different testis sizes. The experimental results suggest that there are at least two autosomal testis-size genes and that they control testis size by regulating the number of Sertoli cells.
Chubb
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Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9039.
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D004822:Epididymis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D005809:Genes, Regulator / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000002:abnormalities; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D014998:Y Chromosome