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Age and Genetic Background Modify Hybrid Male Sterility in House Mice
Samuel J Widmayer1,2, Mary Ann Handel3, David L Aylor4,5,6
1Department of Biological Science, W.M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695.
Genetics
|August 21, 2020
Summary
Hybrid male sterility in house mice involves specific gene incompatibilities. This study reveals new genetic factors and age-related mechanisms influencing fertility, crucial for understanding reproductive isolation between subspecies.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Evolutionary Biology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Hybrid male sterility (HMS) is a key factor in reproductive isolation among house mouse (Mus musculus) subspecies.
- Specific Prdm9 alleles and Chromosome X genotypes are known to influence fertility and HMS.
- Genetic background is recognized as a modifier of these major loci.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of genetic background in modifying hybrid male sterility.
- To identify novel genetic factors and age-related mechanisms contributing to HMS.
- To resolve conflicting reports on the fertility of specific house mouse hybrid crosses.
Main Methods:
- Construction of house mouse hybrids with identical Prdm9 and X chromosome genotypes but differing genomic backgrounds.
- Crossbreeding of female PWK/PhJ (M. m. musculus) with males from four M. m. domesticus inbred strains (129S1/SvImJ, A/J, C57BL/6J, DBA/2J).
- Fertility assessment through breeding experiments and observation of age-dependent effects.
Main Results:
- Three distinct fertility patterns were observed among the hybrids.
- PWK129S1 males were consistently infertile; PWKDBA2 males were fertile, irrespective of major HMS loci.
- PWKB6 and PWKAJ males exhibited transient fertility between 12 and 35 weeks of age, resolving previous discrepancies.
Conclusions:
- Multiple segregating HMS modifier alleles exist, influencing hybrid fertility.
- Some modifier alleles exhibit age-related modes of action.
- Identifying these alleles and mechanisms will enhance understanding of HMS genetic architecture and reproductive barrier maintenance.
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