title: A reassessment of Y chromosomal behaviour in germ cells and Sertoli cells of the mouse as revealed by in situ hybridisation.
abstract: In situ hybridisation experiments were carried out to reappraise the state of condensation of the Y chromosome in germ cells and Sertoli cells of the mouse. Previous work had suggested that all testicular cells showed a condensed Y chromosome prior to the adult stage. We now demonstrate that, although the Y chromosome is condensed in pre-pubertal Sertoli cells, it is greatly expanded in primordial germ cells (gonocytes). An expanded Y-signal is first seen in Sertoli cell nuclei at or around day 21 of postnatal development, coinciding with the first appearance of spermatids in the germinal epithelium.
authors.affiliation: MRC Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Chandley
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Speed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006720:Homozygote; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007713:Klinefelter Syndrome / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009154:Mutation; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013737:Testis / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development*; D014998:Y Chromosome / Q000648:ultrastructure*