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A new mouse mutation causing male sterility and histoincompatibility
P F Ward-Bailey1, K R Johnson, M A Handel
1The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, USA.
Summary
A novel mutation, male sterility and histoincompatibility (mshi), causes sterility in male mice due to disorganized testes. This mutation also impairs skin graft acceptance, impacting histocompatibility.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Reproductive Biology
- Immunology and Histocompatibility
Background:
- Male sterility and histoincompatibility (mshi) is an autosomal recessive mutation identified in BALB/cBy mice.
- Homozygous mshi males exhibit reduced testis size and sterility, characterized by disorganized testes and a block in male germ cell proliferation regulation.
- The mutation also affects histocompatibility, leading to rejection of sex-matched skin grafts in homozygous individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the genetic location of the mshi mutation.
- To identify potential candidate genes responsible for male sterility and histoincompatibility.
- To understand the reproductive and immunological consequences of the mshi mutation.
Main Methods:
- An intercross was performed between BALB/cBy and CAST/Ei mouse strains.
- Genetic mapping techniques were employed to locate the mshi mutation on a specific chromosome.
- Analysis of testis morphology and skin graft rejection assays were conducted.
Main Results:
- The mshi mutation was mapped to the proximal region of Chromosome 10.
- The mutation's location is between markers D10Mit80 and D10Mit16.
- The interferon gamma receptor locus (Ifgr) is located near the mutation and is a potential candidate gene.
Conclusions:
- The mshi mutation significantly impacts male reproductive capacity and immune system function.
- The genetic locus for mshi has been identified on mouse Chromosome 10.
- Ifgr is a strong candidate gene requiring further investigation for its role in mshi.