Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

Slide Preparation Method to Preserve Three-dimensional Chromatin Architecture of Testicular Germ Cells
Published on: January 10, 2014
Is p53 controlling spermatogenesis in male mice with the deletion on the Y chromosome?
Tomasz Lech1, Aniela Golas, Jozefa Styrna
1Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland.
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the chromosome Y structure and Trp53 genotype on semen quality parameters. Mice with partial deletion of the Y chromosome (B10.BR-Ydel) have severely altered sperm head morphology when compared with males that possess the complete Y chromosome (B10.BR). Control males from B10.BR and B10.BR-Ydel mice, and mutant males from B10.BR-p53 -/- and B10.BR-Ydel-p53 -/- experimental groups were used. We assessed testis weight, sperm head abnormalities, viability of spermatozoa (eosin test), percentage of motile and immature sperm, and performed a hypo-osmotic test to detect abnormal tail membrane integrity. Sperm morphology and maturation were controlled by the genes within the deleted region of the Y chromosome. Testis weight was higher in the mutants than in the control males, possibly due to cell accumulation in Trp53-deficient males as the concentration of sperm was significantly increased in the mutants. An elevated percentage of abnormal sperm was noted in B10.BR-p53 -/- and B10.BR-Ydel-p53 -/- male mice. We suggest that, in Trp53-deficient mice, the sperm cells that escape apoptosis are the ones that have abnormal morphology. The only sperm quality parameter affected by the interplay between Trp53 and chromosome Y genes was sperm motility, which was elevated in B10.BR-p53 -/- males, but remained unchanged in B10.BR-Ydel-p53 -/- males.
Related Concept Videos
The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
Abnormal Proliferation
X and Y Chromosomes
The germline cells such as egg and sperm cells carry only half the number of chromosomes, i.e., 22 autosomes and one sex chromosome. All eggs have an X chromosome, while sperm cells can carry an X or...
Sex-linked Disorders
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female Drosophila...
Spermatogenesis

