[Advances in researches on the relationship of Y chromosome with male infertility].
The Y chromosome contains genes and gene families that play critical roles in the process of testis determination and differentiation. Male infertility can be induced by many factors, and extensive studies have strongly indicated that Y chromosome microdeletions are closely related to male reproductive dysfunction. Because most of the Y chromosome does not participate in sexual recombination, it has degenerated both in size and gene content, in comparison with the X chromosome. Consequently males may be faced with survival problems in the future. This article reviews the role of the Y chromosome in male infertility and the fate of the male in the future.
Tian
Er-po
EP
Department of Physiology, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong 515031, China. soar_2005@tom.com
Qin
Da-nian
DN
D041322:Chromosomes, Human, Y; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male