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Matveevsky SN, Kolomiets OL, Shchipanov NA, Pavlova SV. Natural male hybrid common shrews with a very long chromosomal multivalent at meiosis appear not to be completely sterile. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART B, MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2024; 342:45-58. [PMID: 38059675 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Among 36 known chromosomal hybrid zones of the common shrew Sorex araneus, the Moscow-Seliger hybrid zone is of special interest because inter-racial complex heterozygotes (F1 hybrids) produce the longest meiotic configuration, consisting of 11 chromosomes with monobrachial homology (undecavalent or chain-of-eleven: CXI). Different studies suggest that such a multivalent may negatively affect meiotic progression and in general should significantly reduce fertility of hybrids. In this work, by immunocytochemical and electron microscopy methods, we investigated for the first time chromosome synapsis, recombination and meiotic silencing in pachytene spermatocytes of natural inter-racial heterozygous shrew males carrying CXI configurations. Despite some abnormalities detected in spermatocytes, such as associations of chromosomes, stretched centromeres, and the absence of recombination nodules in some arms of the multivalent, a large number of morphologically normal spermatozoa were observed. Possible low stringency of pachytene checkpoints may mean that even very long meiotic configurations do not cause complete sterility of such complex inter-racial heterozygotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey N Matveevsky
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Oxana L Kolomiets
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikolay A Shchipanov
- Laboratory of Population Ecology, A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Svetlana V Pavlova
- Laboratory of Population Ecology, A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Meiotic Silencing in Pigs: A Case Study in a Translocated Azoospermic Boar. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081137. [PMID: 34440311 PMCID: PMC8394674 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Carriers of balanced constitutional reciprocal translocations usually present a normal phenotype, but often show reproductive disorders. For the first time in pigs, we analyzed the meiotic process of an autosome-autosome translocation associated with azoospermia. Meiotic process analysis revealed the presence of unpaired autosomal segments with histone γH2AX accumulation sometimes associated with the XY body. Additionally, γH2AX signals were observed on apparently synapsed autosomes other than the SSC1 or SSC15, as previously observed in Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 patients or knock-out mice for the Senataxin gene. Gene expression showed a downregulation of genes selected on chromosomes 1 and 15, but no upregulation of SSCX genes. We hypothesized that the total meiotic arrest observed in this boar might be due to the silencing of crucial autosomal genes by the mechanism referred to as meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromatin (MSUC).
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Forejt J, Jansa P, Parvanov E. Hybrid sterility genes in mice (Mus musculus): a peculiar case of PRDM9 incompatibility. Trends Genet 2021; 37:1095-1108. [PMID: 34238593 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2021.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hybrid sterility is a critical step in the evolution of reproductive barriers between diverging taxa during the process of speciation. Recent studies of young subspecies of the house mouse revealed a multigenic nature and frequent polymorphism of hybrid sterility genes as well as the recurrent engagement of the meiosis-specific gene PR domain-containing 9 (Prdm9) and X-linked loci. Prdm9-controlled hybrid sterility is essentially chromosomal in nature, conditioned by the sequence divergence between subspecies. Depending on the Prdm9 interallelic interactions and the X-linked Hstx2 locus, the same homologs either regularly recombine and synapse, or show impaired DNA DSB repair, asynapsis, and early meiotic arrest. Thus, Prdm9-dependent hybrid sterility points to incompatibilities affecting meiotic recombination as a possible mechanism of reproductive isolation between (sub)species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Forejt
- Department of Mouse Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec 252 50, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Jansa
- Department of Mouse Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec 252 50, Czech Republic
| | - Emil Parvanov
- Department of Mouse Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec 252 50, Czech Republic
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Ribagorda M, Berríos S, Solano E, Ayarza E, Martín-Ruiz M, Gil-Fernández A, Parra MT, Viera A, Rufas JS, Capanna E, Castiglia R, Fernández-Donoso R, Page J. Meiotic behavior of a complex hexavalent in heterozygous mice for Robertsonian translocations: insights for synapsis dynamics. Chromosoma 2019; 128:149-163. [PMID: 30826871 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-019-00695-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Natural populations of the house mouse Mus musculus domesticus show great diversity in chromosomal number due to the presence of chromosomal rearrangements, mainly Robertsonian translocations. Breeding between two populations with different chromosomal configurations generates subfertile or sterile hybrid individuals due to impaired meiotic development. In this study, we have analyzed prophase-I spermatocytes of hybrids formed by crossing mice from Vulcano and Lipari island populations. Both populations have a 2n = 26 karyotype but different combinations of Robertsonian translocations. We studied the progress of synapsis, recombination, and meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromosomes during prophase-I through the immunolocalization of the proteins SYCP3, SYCP1, γH2AX, RAD51, and MLH1. In these hybrids, a hexavalent is formed that, depending on the degree of synapsis between chromosomes, can adopt an open chain, a ring, or a closed configuration. The frequency of these configurations varies throughout meiosis, with the maximum degree of synapsis occurring at mid pachytene. In addition, we observed the appearance of heterologous synapsis between telocentric and metacentric chromosomes; however, this synapsis seems to be transient and unstable and unsynapsed regions are frequently observed in mid-late pachytene. Interestingly, we found that chiasmata are frequently located at the boundaries of unsynapsed chromosomal regions in the hexavalent during late pachytene. These results provide new clues about synapsis dynamics during meiosis. We propose that mechanical forces generated along chromosomes may induce premature desynapsis, which, in turn, might be counteracted by the location of chiasmata. Despite these and additional meiotic features, such as the accumulation of γH2AX on unsynapsed chromosome regions, we observed a large number of cells that progressed to late stages of prophase-I, indicating that synapsis defects may not trigger a meiotic crisis in these hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Ribagorda
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Soledad Berríos
- Programa de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Emanuela Solano
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Eliana Ayarza
- Departamento de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marta Martín-Ruiz
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Gil-Fernández
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Teresa Parra
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Viera
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio S Rufas
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ernesto Capanna
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Castiglia
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie "Charles Darwin", Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Raúl Fernández-Donoso
- Programa de Genética Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jesús Page
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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Ho B, Greenlaw K, Al Tuwaijri A, Moussette S, Martínez F, Giorgio E, Brusco A, Ferrero GB, Linhares ND, Valadares ER, Svartman M, Kalscheuer VM, Rodríguez Criado G, Laprise C, Greenwood CMT, Naumova AK. X chromosome dosage and presence of SRY shape sex-specific differences in DNA methylation at an autosomal region in human cells. Biol Sex Differ 2018; 9:10. [PMID: 29463315 PMCID: PMC5819645 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-018-0169-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual dimorphism in DNA methylation levels is a recurrent epigenetic feature in different human cell types and has been implicated in predisposition to disease, such as psychiatric and autoimmune disorders. To elucidate the genetic origins of sex-specific DNA methylation, we examined DNA methylation levels in fibroblast cell lines and blood cells from individuals with different combinations of sex chromosome complements and sex phenotypes focusing on a single autosomal region--the differentially methylated region (DMR) in the promoter of the zona pellucida binding protein 2 (ZPBP2) as a reporter. RESULTS Our data show that the presence of the sex determining region Y (SRY) was associated with lower methylation levels, whereas higher X chromosome dosage in the absence of SRY led to an increase in DNA methylation levels at the ZPBP2 DMR. We mapped the X-linked modifier of DNA methylation to the long arm of chromosome X (Xq13-q21) and tested the impact of mutations in the ATRX and RLIM genes, located in this region, on methylation levels. Neither ATRX nor RLIM mutations influenced ZPBP2 methylation in female carriers. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that sex-specific methylation differences at the autosomal locus result from interaction between a Y-linked factor SRY and at least one X-linked factor that acts in a dose-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Ho
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Abeer Al Tuwaijri
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sanny Moussette
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), 1001 Decarie Blvd., Bloc E, Room EM03226, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Francisco Martínez
- Unidad de Genética, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - Elisa Giorgio
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Alfredo Brusco
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Medical Genetics Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Natália D Linhares
- Setor de Citogenética, Laboratório Central do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Eugênia R Valadares
- Departamento de Propedêutica Complementar, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Ambulatório de Erros Inatos do Metabolismo, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Marta Svartman
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vera M Kalscheuer
- Research Group Development and Disease, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Catherine Laprise
- Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, Centre intégré universitaire de santé et services sociaux du Saguenay, Lac-Saint-Jean, Saguenay, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de santé et de services sociaux de Chicoutimi, Saguenay, Québec, Canada
| | - Celia M T Greenwood
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Lady Davis Research Institute, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Departments of Oncology and Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anna K Naumova
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), 1001 Decarie Blvd., Bloc E, Room EM03226, Montreal, Quebec, H4A 3J1, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Robertsonian translocations modify genomic distribution of γH2AFX and H3.3 in mouse germ cells. Mamm Genome 2016; 27:225-36. [PMID: 27090237 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-016-9630-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Heterozygosity for Robertsonian translocations hampers pairing and synapsis between the translocated chromosome and its normal homologs during meiotic prophase I. This causes meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromatin in pericentromeric regions. Several lines of evidence suggest that autosomal asynapsis leads to meiotic arrest in males and two underlying mechanisms have been proposed: (1) reactivation of the X and Y chromosomes due to competition for silencing factors and (2) meiotic silencing of genes that are located in the unsynapsed regions and are essential for meiotic progression. The latter mechanism requires that asynapsis and meiotic silencing spread beyond the p-arms of the normal homologs into gene-rich regions. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation assays to determine whether histones γH2AFX and H3.3, both marks of asynapsis and meiotic silencing, are enriched in gene-rich regions of the translocated chromosomes and their homologs in the spermatocytes of heterozygous carriers of Robertsonian translocations. We also asked if γH2AFX and H3.3 enrichment was reduced at the X chromosome and if γH2AFX and H3.3 enrichment was higher on the normal homolog. Our data show that γH2AFX enrichment extends as far as 9-15 Mb of the annotated genomic sequence of the q-arms of the translocated chromosomal trivalents and that both γH2AFX and H3.3 levels are reduced over the X chromosome. Our data are also suggestive of an asymmetry in γH2AFX and H3.3 enrichment with a bias toward the non-translocated homolog.
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Abstract
According to the Dobzhansky-Muller model, hybrid sterility is a consequence of the independent evolution of related taxa resulting in incompatible genomic interactions of their hybrids. The model implies that the incompatibilities evolve randomly, unless a particular gene or nongenic sequence diverges much faster than the rest of the genome. Here we propose that asynapsis of heterospecific chromosomes in meiotic prophase provides a recurrently evolving trigger for the meiotic arrest of interspecific F1 hybrids. We observed extensive asynapsis of chromosomes and disturbance of the sex body in >95% of pachynemas of Mus m. musculus × Mus m. domesticus sterile F1 males. Asynapsis was not preceded by a failure of double-strand break induction, and the rate of meiotic crossing over was not affected in synapsed chromosomes. DNA double-strand break repair was delayed or failed in unsynapsed autosomes, and misexpression of chromosome X and chromosome Y genes was detected in single pachynemas and by genome-wide expression profiling. Oocytes of F1 hybrid females showed the same kind of synaptic problems but with the incidence reduced to half. Most of the oocytes with pachytene asynapsis were eliminated before birth. We propose the heterospecific pairing of homologous chromosomes as a preexisting condition of asynapsis in interspecific hybrids. The asynapsis may represent a universal mechanistic basis of F1 hybrid sterility manifested by pachytene arrest. It is tempting to speculate that a fast-evolving subset of the noncoding genomic sequence important for chromosome pairing and synapsis may be the culprit.
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Godo A, Blanco J, Vidal F, Anton E. Accumulation of numerical and structural chromosome imbalances in spermatozoa from reciprocal translocation carriers. Hum Reprod 2012; 28:840-9. [PMID: 23250926 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/des431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is there a relationship between the occurrence of specific segregation modes and the production of additional numerical abnormalities in spermatozoa from reciprocal translocation carriers? STUDY ANSWER The production of aneuploid and diploid spermatozoa tends to be associated with an unbalanced segregation outcome of the rearranged chromosomes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Carriers of reciprocal translocations have an increased genetic reproductive risk as a consequence of producing higher numbers of unbalanced spermatozoa. These imbalances can originate during the segregation of the rearranged chromosomes and also from the occurrence of interchromosomal effects (ICEs). Usually, the outcome of both events is studied independently by means of sperm fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We designed a sequential FISH protocol based on two successive hybridization rounds to study the segregation outcome of the rearranged chromosomes and the presence of additional numerical abnormalities in the same sperm nuclei. The study was performed between February 2010 and February 2012. MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Sperm samples from eight reciprocal translocation carriers were processed for FISH analysis. Numerical abnormalities for chromosomes X, Y, 13, 18 and 21 were evaluated in the first hybridization round. The aneuploid and diploid nuclei were relocated and analysed for the segregation outcome of the rearranged chromosomes in the second hybridization round. In every carrier, another population of non-selected spermatozoa was also analysed with the aim of defining the general segregation outcome of each reorganization event. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Overall, the selected population of aneuploid and diploid spermatozoa showed significant increased frequencies of unbalanced segregation modes of the rearranged chromosomes (3:1, 4:0 and 'other') when compared with the non-selected population of spermatozoa. A P-value of <0.05 was chosen to determine if differences observed were statistically significant. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION FISH only allows the analysis of a limited number of chromosomes. Information about the content of additional chromosomes would have been useful in order to broaden the number of aneuploid spermatozoa population, and to infer a more accurate possible mechanism for generating chromosomal imbalances. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS There was no previous data about a relationship between chromosomal numerical abnormalities and segregation of rearranged chromosomes. Our findings are consistent with a possible gathering of chromosomal abnormalities in a given nucleus. This information can be used towards a better understanding of the meiotic mechanisms involved in non-disjunction events in gametes from reciprocal translocation carriers. Also, it would help to provide a better reproductive genetic risk assessment in these patients. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported by funding of projects SAF2010-2241 (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spain), SGR2009-282 (Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain) and UAB CF-180034 (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain). The authors declare the lack of competing interests in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Godo
- Unitat de Biologia Cel·lular (Facultat de Biociències), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra 08193, Spain
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Matveevsky SN, Pavlova SV, Maret M. Acaeva, Oxana L. Kolomiets. Synaptonemal complex analysis of interracial hybrids between the Moscow and Neroosa chromosomal races of the common shrew Sorex araneus showing regular formation of a complex meiotic configuration (ring-of-four). COMPARATIVE CYTOGENETICS 2012; 6:301-14. [PMID: 24260670 PMCID: PMC3833805 DOI: 10.3897/compcytogen.v6i3.3701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2012] [Accepted: 08/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/11/2023]
Abstract
Immunocytochemical and electron microscopic analysis of synaptonemal complexes (SCs) was carried out for the first time in homozygotes and complex Robertsonian heterozygotes (hybrids) of the common shrew, Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758, from a newly discovered hybrid zone between the Moscow and the Neroosa chromosomal races. These races differ in four monobrachial homologous metacentrics, and closed SC tetravalent is expected to be formed in meiosis of a hybrid. Indeed, such a multivalent was found at meiotic prophase I in hybrids. Interactions between multivalent and both autosomes and/or the sex chromosomes were observed. For the first time we have used immunocytochemical techniques to analyse asynapsis in Sorex araneus and show that the multivalent pairs in an orderly fashion with complete synapsis. Despite some signs of spermatocytes arrested in the meiotic prophase I, hybrids had large number of active sperm. Thus, Moscow - Neroosa hybrid males that form a ring-of-four meiotic configuration are most likely not sterile. Our results support previous demonstrations that monobrachial homology of metacentrics of the common shrew does not lead to complete reproductive isolation between parapatric chromosomal races of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey N. Matveevsky
- N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Gubkin str. 3, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Svetlana V. Pavlova
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskiy pr. 33, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Maret M. Acaeva
- N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Gubkin str. 3, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Chehen State University, A. Sheripov str. 32, Grozny 364051, Chechen Republic, Russia
| | - Oxana L. Kolomiets
- N.I. Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Gubkin str. 3, Moscow 119991, Russia
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Homolka D, Jansa P, Forejt J. Genetically enhanced asynapsis of autosomal chromatin promotes transcriptional dysregulation and meiotic failure. Chromosoma 2011; 121:91-104. [PMID: 22002499 PMCID: PMC3260437 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-011-0346-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Revised: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 10/02/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
During meiosis, pairing of homologous chromosomes and their synapsis are essential prerequisites for normal male gametogenesis. Even limited autosomal asynapsis often leads to spermatogenic impairment, the mechanism of which is not fully understood. The present study was aimed at deliberately increasing the size of partial autosomal asynapsis and analysis of its impact on male meiosis. For this purpose, we studied the effect of t(12) haplotype encompassing four inversions on chromosome 17 on mouse autosomal translocation T(16;17)43H (abbreviated T43H). The T43H/T43H homozygotes were fully fertile in both sexes, while +/T43H heterozygous males, but not females, were sterile with meiotic arrest at late pachynema. Inclusion of the t(12) haplotype in trans to the T43H translocation resulted in enhanced asynapsis of the translocated autosome, ectopic phosphorylation of histone H2AX, persistence of RAD51 foci, and increased gene silencing around the translocation break. Increase was also on colocalization of unsynapsed chromatin with sex body. Remarkably, we found that transcriptional silencing of the unsynapsed autosomal chromatin precedes silencing of sex chromosomes. Based on the present knowledge, we conclude that interference of meiotic silencing of unsynapsed autosomes with meiotic sex chromosome inactivation is the most likely cause of asynapsis-related male sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Homolka
- Department of Mouse Molecular Genetics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
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11
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Kirkpatrick G, Chow V, Ma S. Meiotic recombination, synapsis, meiotic inactivation and sperm aneuploidy in a chromosome 1 inversion carrier. Reprod Biomed Online 2011; 24:91-100. [PMID: 22116071 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2011.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2011] [Revised: 09/19/2011] [Accepted: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Disrupted meiotic behaviour of inversion carriers may be responsible for suboptimal sperm parameters in these carriers. This study investigated meiotic recombination, synapsis, transcriptional silencing and chromosome segregation effects in a pericentric inv(1) carrier. Recombination (MLH1), synapsis (SYCP1, SYCP3) and transcriptional inactivation (γH2AX, BRCA1) were examined by fluorescence immunostaining. Chromosome specific rates of recombination were determined by fluorescence in-situ hybridization. Furthermore, testicular sperm was examined for aneuploidy and segregation of the inv(1). Our findings showed that global recombination rates were similar to controls. Recombination on the inv(1) and the sex chromosomes were reduced. The inv(1) associated with the XY body in 43.4% of cells, in which XY recombination was disproportionately absent, and 94.3% of cells displayed asynapsed regions which displayed meiotic silencing regardless of their association with the XY body. Furthermore, a low frequency of chromosomal imbalance was observed in spermatozoa (3.4%). Our results suggest that certain inversion carriers may display unimpaired global recombination and impaired recombination on the involved and the sex chromosomes during meiosis. Asynapsis or inversion-loop formation in the inverted region may be responsible for impaired spermatogenesis and may prevent sperm-chromosome imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon Kirkpatrick
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6H-3N1
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12
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Sciurano RB, Rahn MI, Rey-Valzacchi G, Coco R, Solari AJ. The role of asynapsis in human spermatocyte failure. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 35:541-9. [PMID: 21977946 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2011.01221.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The basic molecular mechanisms by which chromosomal rearrangements in heterozygous state produce spermatogenic disturbances are poorly understood. Testicular biopsies from five patients - one carrier of a Robertsonian translocation rob t(13;14), two carriers of two different Y-autosome translocations, a t(Y;6) and a t(Y;11), one carrier of a reciprocal translocation t(3;13) and one carrier of a heterochromatin duplication in chromosome 9 - were processed for histopathological analysis, electron microscopy and fluorescent immunolocalization of meiotic proteins. In all the patients, the asynaptic regions during pachytene are labelled by BRCA1 and retained RAD51 foci. The variant histone γ-H2AX is located on the chromatin domains of the asynaptic regions and the XY body. In contrast, these meiotic proteins are absent in those chromosomal segments that are non-homologously synapsed. The present observations on five new cases and a review of recent studies show that the common features shared by all these cases are the abnormal location of some meiotic proteins and the presence of transcriptionally silenced chromatin domains on asynaptic regions. The frequent association of these silenced regions with the XY body and the rescue of spermatocyte viability through non-homologous synapsis are also shared by all these carriers. A passive, random mechanism of clustering of asynaptic regions with the XY body is suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Sciurano
- Biología Celular, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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13
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Danielak-Czech B, ŚWitoński M, Slota E. First identification of reciprocal translocations in Polish pigs. J Anim Breed Genet 2011; 114:69-78. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.1997.tb00493.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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14
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Král J, Kořínková T, Forman M, Krkavcová L. Insights into the Meiotic Behavior and Evolution of Multiple Sex Chromosome Systems in Spiders. Cytogenet Genome Res 2011; 133:43-66. [DOI: 10.1159/000323497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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15
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Schneider MC, Zacaro AA, Pinto-da-Rocha R, Candido DM, Cella DM. Complex meiotic configuration of the holocentric chromosomes: the intriguing case of the scorpion Tityus bahiensis. Chromosome Res 2009; 17:883-98. [PMID: 19760509 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-009-9076-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2009] [Revised: 08/18/2009] [Accepted: 08/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mitotic and meiotic chromosomes of Tityus bahiensis were investigated using light (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine the chromosomal characteristics and disclose the mechanisms responsible for intraspecific variability in chromosome number and for the presence of complex chromosome association during meiosis. This species is endemic to Brazilian fauna and belongs to the family Buthidae, which is considered phylogenetically basal within the order Scorpiones. In the sample examined, four sympatric and distinct diploid numbers were observed: 2n = 5, 2n = 6, 2n = 9, and 2 = 10. The origin of this remarkable chromosome variability was attributed to chromosome fissions and/or fusions, considering that the decrease in chromosome number was concomitant with the increase in chromosome size and vice versa. The LM and TEM analyses showed the presence of chromosomes without localised centromere, the lack of chiasmata and recombination nodules in male meiosis, and two nucleolar organiser regions carrier chromosomes. Furthermore, male prophase I cells revealed multivalent chromosome associations and/or unsynapsed or distinctly associated chromosome regions (gaps, less-condensed chromatin, or loop-like structure) that were continuous with synapsed chromosome segments. All these data permitted us to suggest that the chromosomal rearrangements of T. bahiensis occurred in a heterozygous state. A combination of various factors, such as correct disjunction and balanced segregation of the chromosomes involved in complex meiotic pairing, system of achiasmate meiosis, holocentric nature of the chromosomes, population structure, and species dispersion patterns, could have contributed to the high level of chromosome rearrangements present in T. bahiensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marielle Cristina Schneider
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, Av. Prof. Artur Riedel, 275, 09972-270, Diadema, São Paulo, Brazil.
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16
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Villagómez DAF, Pinton A. Chromosomal abnormalities, meiotic behavior and fertility in domestic animals. Cytogenet Genome Res 2008; 120:69-80. [PMID: 18467827 DOI: 10.1159/000118742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/07/2007] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the advent of the surface microspreading technique for synaptonemal complex analysis, increasing interest in describing the synapsis patterns of chromosome abnormalities associated with fertility of domestic animals has been noticed during the past three decades. In spite of the number of scientific reports describing the occurrence of structural chromosome abnormalities, their meiotic behavior and gametic products, little is known in domestic animal species about the functional effects of such chromosome aberrations in the germ cell line of carriers. However, some interesting facts gained from recent and previous studies on the meiotic behavior of chromosome abnormalities of domestic animals permit us to discuss, in the frame of recent knowledge emerging from mouse and human investigations, the possible mechanism implicated in the well known association between meiotic disruption and chromosome pairing failure. New cytogenetic techniques, based on molecular and immunofluorescent analyses, are allowing a better description of meiotic processes, including gamete production. The present communication reviews the knowledge of the meiotic consequences of chromosome abnormalities in domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A F Villagómez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
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17
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Král J. Evolution of multiple sex chromosomes in the spider genus Malthonica (Araneae: Agelenidae) indicates unique structure of the spider sex chromosome systems. Chromosome Res 2007; 15:863-79. [PMID: 17899407 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-007-1169-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2007] [Revised: 07/25/2007] [Accepted: 07/25/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Most spiders exhibit a multiple sex chromosome system, X(1)X(2)0, whose origin has not been satisfactorily explained. Examination of the sex chromosome systems in the spider genus Malthonica (Agelenidae) revealed considerable diversity in sex chromosome constitution within this group. Besides modes X(1)X(2)0 (M. silvestris) and X(1)X(2)X(3)0 (M. campestris), a neo-X(1)X(2)X(3)X(4)X(5)Y system in M. ferruginea was found. Ultrastructural analysis of spread pachytene spermatocytes revealed that the X(1)X(2)0 and X(1)X(2)X(3)0 systems include a pair of homomorphic sex chromosomes. Multiple X chromosomes and the pair exhibit an end-to-end pairing, being connected by attachment plaques. The X(1)X(2)X(3)X(4)X(5)Y system of M. ferruginea arose by rearrangement between the homomorphic sex chromosome pair and an autosome. Multiple X chromosomes and the sex chromosome pair do not differ from autosomes in a pattern of constitutive heterochromatin. Ultrastructural data on sex chromosome pairing in other spiders indicate that the homomorphic sex chromosome pair forms an integral part of the spider sex chromosome systems. It is suggested that this pair represents ancestral sex chromosomes of spiders, which generated multiple X chromosomes by non-disjunctions. Structural differentiation of newly formed X chromosomes has been facilitated by heterochromatinization of sex chromosome bivalents observed in prophase I of spider females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jirí Král
- Laboratory of Arachnid Cytogenetics, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Vinicná 5, CZ-128 44, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
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18
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Homolka D, Ivanek R, Capkova J, Jansa P, Forejt J. Chromosomal rearrangement interferes with meiotic X chromosome inactivation. Genome Res 2007; 17:1431-7. [PMID: 17717048 PMCID: PMC1987340 DOI: 10.1101/gr.6520107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Heterozygosity for certain mouse and human chromosomal rearrangements is characterized by the incomplete meiotic synapsis of rearranged chromosomes, by their colocalization with the XY body in primary spermatocytes, and by male-limited sterility. Previously, we argued that such X-autosomal associations could interfere with meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. Recently, supporting evidence has reported modifications of histones in rearranged chromosomes by a process called the meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromatin (MSUC). Here, we report on the transcriptional down-regulation of genes within the unsynapsed region of the rearranged mouse chromosome 17, and on the subsequent disturbance of X chromosome inactivation. The partial transcriptional suppression of genes in the unsynapsed chromatin was most prominent prior to the mid-pachytene stage of primary spermatocytes. Later, during the mid-late pachytene, the rearranged autosomes colocalized with the XY body, and the X chromosome failed to undergo proper transcriptional silencing. Our findings provide direct evidence on the MSUC acting at the mRNA level, and implicate that autosomal asynapsis in meiosis may cause male sterility by interfering with meiotic sex chromosome inactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Homolka
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Robert Ivanek
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Capkova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Jansa
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Forejt
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 142 20 Prague 4, Czech Republic
- Corresponding author.E-mail ; fax 420-24106-2154
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19
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Davisson M, Akeson E, Schmidt C, Harris B, Farley J, Handel MA. Impact of trisomy on fertility and meiosis in male mice. Hum Reprod 2006; 22:468-76. [PMID: 17050550 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/del397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chromosomal abnormalities frequently are associated with impairment or arrest of spermatogenesis in mammals but are compatible with fertility in female carriers of the same anomaly. In the case of trisomy, mice have extra genomic DNA as well as the chromosomal abnormality, usually present as an extra, unpaired chromosome. Thus, impairment of spermatogenesis in trisomic males could be due to the presence of extra genomic material (i.e. triplicated genes) or due to the chromosomal abnormality and presence of an unpaired chromosome in meiosis. METHODS In this study, fertility and chromosomal pairing configurations during meiotic prophase were analysed in male mice trisomic for different segments of the genome. Four have an extra segmental or tertiary trisomic chromosome--Ts(17(16))65Dn, Ts(10(16))232Dn, Ts(12(17))4Rk and Ts(4(17))2Lws--and one has the triplicated segment attached to another chromosome--Ts(16C-tel)1Cje. Ts(17(16))65Dn and Ts(16C-tel)1Cje have similar gene content triplication and differ primarily in whether the extra DNA is in an extra chromosome or not. RESULTS The presence of an intact extra chromosome, rather than trisomy per se, is associated with male sterility. Additionally, sterility is correlated with a high frequency of association of the unpaired chromosome with the XY body, which contains the largely unpaired X and Y chromosomes. CONCLUSIONS Intact extra chromosomes disrupt spermatogenesis, and unpaired chromosomes establish a unique chromatin territory within meiotic nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Davisson
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA.
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20
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Bache I, Assche EV, Cingoz S, Bugge M, Tümer Z, Hjorth M, Lundsteen C, Lespinasse J, Winther K, Niebuhr A, Kalscheuer V, Liebaers I, Bonduelle M, Tournaye H, Ayuso C, Barbi G, Blennow E, Bourrouillou G, Brondum-Nielsen K, Bruun-Petersen G, Croquette MF, Dahoun S, Dallapiccola B, Davison V, Delobel B, Duba HC, Duprez L, Ferguson-Smith M, Fitzpatrick DR, Grace E, Hansmann I, Hultén M, Jensen PK, Jonveaux P, Kristoffersson U, Lopez-Pajares I, McGowan-Jordan J, Murken J, Orera M, Parkin T, Passarge E, Ramos C, Rasmussen K, Schempp W, Schubert R, Schwinger E, Shabtai F, Smith K, Stallings R, Stefanova M, Tranebjerg L, Turleau C, van der Hagen CB, Vekemans M, Vokac NK, Wagner K, Wahlstroem J, Zelante L, Tommerup N. An excess of chromosome 1 breakpoints in male infertility. Eur J Hum Genet 2004; 12:993-1000. [PMID: 15367911 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In a search for potential infertility loci, which might be revealed by clustering of chromosomal breakpoints, we compiled 464 infertile males with a balanced rearrangement from Mendelian Cytogenetics Network database (MCNdb) and compared their karyotypes with those of a Danish nation-wide cohort. We excluded Robertsonian translocations, rearrangements involving sex chromosomes and common variants. We identified 10 autosomal bands, five of which were on chromosome 1, with a large excess of breakpoints in the infertility group. Some of these could potentially harbour a male-specific infertility locus. However, a general excess of breakpoints almost everywhere on chromosome 1 was observed among the infertile males: 26.5 versus 14.5% in the cohort. This excess was observed both for translocation and inversion carriers, especially pericentric inversions, both for published and unpublished cases, and was significantly associated with azoospermia. The largest number of breakpoints was reported in 1q21; FISH mapping of four of these breakpoints revealed that they did not involve the same region at the molecular level. We suggest that chromosome 1 harbours a critical domain whose integrity is essential for male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iben Bache
- Wilhelm Johannsen Centre for Functional Genome Research, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Genetics, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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21
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Dai K, Gillies CB, Dollin AE, Hilmi M. Synaptonemal complex analysis of hybrid and purebred water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Hereditas 2004; 121:171-84. [PMID: 7876032 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5223.1994.00171.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The morphology of the synaptonemal complex (SC) in river (2n = 50) and swamp (2n = 48) water buffaloes and their hybrids, was studied by electron microscopic analysis. In 2n = 49 hybrids, F2 and backcrosses the formation and pairing behaviour of a trivalent at zygotene-pachytene confirmed that river and swamp buffaloes differ by a centromere-to-telomere (C-T) tandem fusion. While 29% of spermatocytes from a purebred river buffalo and 16% from a purebred swamp buffalo had pairing abnormalities, a significantly higher frequency of abnormalities (48-72%) was recorded in F1, F2, and backcrosses with 2n = 48, 49 or 50. Highest abnormality frequencies occurred in 2n = 49 bulls. Abnormal pairing configurations often resulted from interactions between unpaired chromosome axes or segments. Zygotene-pachytene meiotic progress appeared delayed in hybrid bulls, and the frequency of SC abnormalities decreased from XY type I substage to type V substage. The variation in SC abnormality data from hybrids was consistent with the levels of sperm abnormality previously reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Dai
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia
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22
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Sharma T, Bardhan A, Bahadur M. Reduced meiotic fitness in hybrids with heterozygosity for heterochromatin in the speciating Mus terricolor complex. J Biosci 2003; 28:189-98. [PMID: 12711811 DOI: 10.1007/bf02706218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Mus terricolor I, II and III are the three chromosomal species which differ in stable autosomal short-arm heterochromatin variations established in homozygous condition. Analysis of meiosis in the laboratory-generated F1 male hybrids from crosses (both ways) between M. terricolor I and II and between M. terricolor I and III shows high frequencies of pairing abnormalities at pachytene. The backcross (N3 generation) male hybrids between M. terricolor I and II have meiotic abnormalities as in the F1 male hybrids, though to a lesser extent. They show difference in pairing abnormalities in the different karyotypic forms; the backcross hybrids heterozygous for the heterochromatic short arms have more anomalies compared to the homokaryotypic hybrids. This suggests a negative influence of the heterochromatin heterozygosity in meiotic pairing. The results indicate a role for heterochromatin variations in the development of a reproductive barrier in the speciating M. terricolor complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tikaram Sharma
- Cytogenetics Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India.
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23
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Abstract
The many events of meiotic prophase can now be viewed as a series of specialized incidents that are monitored by meiotic checkpoints, some of which are similar to their mitotic counterparts, and some of which are probably unique to meiosis. This shift in perspective means that meiotic sterility in mammals must be reexamined and viewed as the result of errors subject to meiotic checkpoint controls. Like their mitotic counterparts, the meiotic checkpoints detect defects and halt normal progression until these mistakes can be repaired. Some of these checkpoints utilize mitotic checkpoint proteins, others may involve meiotic-specific proteins, or splice forms. If repair is impossible, the checkpoints then either trigger immediate apoptosis or cause an arrest of meiotic progression followed by eventual cell death. If a sufficient number of spermatocytes are involved, either alternative results in sterility. Identification of these meiotic checkpoints and delineation of the signal transduction cascades involved has only just begun. While yeast, or other model organisms, may provide clues to some of these pathways, others appears to have arisen during vertebrate evolution. The study of mammalian meiosis has entered a new era and the foundations are being laid for a growing understanding of the many problems that may contribute to sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ashley
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
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24
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Abstract
The sterility of hybrids between various mouse species follows Haldane's rule by affecting only the males. Hitherto, five hybrid sterility (Hst) loci have been identified in the mouse genome. Haldane's rule holds also for chromosomal sterility in all studied mammalian species, including man. The males heterozygous for various male-sterile chromosomal rearrangements show the same meiotic phenotype: partially asynaptic, rearranged autosomes associate with the X Chromosome. Thus, the X-Chromosome inactivation in the male meiosis might function as a checkpoint leading to the meiotic arrest in sterile hybrids. Chromosomal and gene hybrid sterility might be interrelated because the attributes of chromosomal sterility, such as X-autosome associations, occur also in interspecies hybrids with genic sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Forejt
- Laboratory of Mammalian Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic.
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25
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Guiraaraes SE, Pinheiro LE, Guimaraes JD. Meiotic peculiarities in hybrid buffalo. Theriogenology 1995; 43:579-83. [PMID: 16727649 DOI: 10.1016/0093-691x(94)00063-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/1993] [Accepted: 11/28/1994] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The two varieties of the Water buffalo (Bubalis bubalis var. bubalis and Bubalis bubalis var. carabao) have 2n = 50 and 2n = 48 karyotypes, respectively. The F1 hybrids are thought to exhibit a karyotype of 2n = 49 and are known to be fertile. Meiosis was studied in 10 hybrid water buffalo bulls. Karyotypes of the bulls were prepared from leukocyte cultures and testicular biopsy samples in a routine manner and examined. Phenotypically the bulls showed characteristics of the hybrid buffalo. Five of the bulls carried 2n = 50 and 5 had 2n = 49. Multivalent chromosomes were found in diakinesis (metaphase I) cells of bulls with 2n = 49 karyotypes. Synapses were found in bulls of both karyotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Guiraaraes
- Escola de Veterinaria da UFMG, Departamento de Zootecnia, Caixa Postal 567, CEP 31161-970, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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26
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Kingswood SC, Kumamoto AT, Sudman PD, Fletcher KC, Greenbaum IF. Meiosis in chromosomally heteromorphic goitered gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa (Artiodactyla, Bovidae). Chromosome Res 1994; 2:37-46. [PMID: 8162319 DOI: 10.1007/bf01539452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Chromosomal-pairing behaviour was studied in the spermatocytes of individual goitered gazelles which were heteromorphic for a 14/15 Robertsonian translocation and which possessed an autosome-to-X translocation. Both translocations exhibited trivalent pairing configurations in pachytene and diakinesis/metaphase I nuclei. Synapsis of the sex chromosomes during pachynema was followed by end-to-end association of the X and Y during diakinesis/metaphase I. The only univalents identified were of the Y chromosome; Y univalency ranged from 15.9% at pachynema to 5.7% at diakinesis/metaphase I. Robertsonian trivalents exhibited evidence of synaptic adjustment in the paracentromeric region. Chiasmata were formed in most bivalents and trivalents; chiasmata were restricted to the autosomal portion of the autosome-to-XY trivalent. Analysis of metaphase II configurations (secondary spermatocytes) revealed no nondisjunction in individuals homozygous or heterozygous for the Robertsonian translocation. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that neither the autosomal nor the gonosomal heteromorphism reduces the meiotic fitness of male goitered gazelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Kingswood
- Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, Zoological Society of San Diego, CA 92112
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27
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Matsuda Y, Moens PB, Chapman VM. Deficiency of X and Y chromosomal pairing at meiotic prophase in spermatocytes of sterile interspecific hybrids between laboratory mice (Mus domesticus) and Mus spretus. Chromosoma 1992; 101:483-92. [PMID: 1424992 DOI: 10.1007/bf00352471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The normal association between the X and Y chromosomes at metaphase I of meiosis, as seen in air-dried light microscope preparations of mouse spermatocytes, is frequently lacking in the spermatocytes of the sterile interspecific hybrid between the laboratory mouse strains C57BL/6 and Mus spretus. The purpose of this work is to determine whether the separate X and Y chromosomes in the hybrid are asynaptic, caused by failure to pair, or desynaptic, caused by precocious dissociation. Unpaired X-Y chromosomes were observed in air-dried preparations at diakinesis, just prior to metaphase I. Furthermore, immunocytology and electron microscopy studies of surface-spread pachytene spermatocytes indicate that the X and Y chromosomes frequently fail to initiate synapsis as judged by the failure to form a synaptonemal complex between the pairing regions of the X and Y chromosomes. Several additional chromosomal abnormalities were observed in the hybrid. These include fold-backs of the unpaired X or Y cores, associations between the autosome and sex chromosome cores, and autosomal univalents. The occurrence of abnormal autosomal and XY-autosomal associations was also correlated with cell degeneration during meiotic prophase. The primary breakdown in hybrid spermatogenesis occurs at metaphase I (MI), with the appearance of degenerated cells at late MI. In those cells, the X and Y are decondensed rather than condensed as they are in normal mouse MI spermatocytes. These results, in combination with the previous genetic analysis of spermatogenesis in hybrids and backcrosses with fertile female hybrids, suggest that the spermatogenic breakdown in the interspecific hybrid is primarily correlated with the failure of XY pairing at meiotic prophase, asynapsis, followed by the degeneration of spermatocytes at metaphase I. Secondarily, the failure of XY pairing can be accompanied by failure of autosomal pairing, which appears to involve an abnormal sex vesicle and degeneration at pachytene or diplotene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Matsuda
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263
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28
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Jaafar H, Gabriel-Robez O, Rumpler Y. Pattern of ribonucleic acid synthesis in vitro in primary spermatocytes from mouse testis carrying an X-autosome translocation. Chromosoma 1989; 98:330-4. [PMID: 2482154 DOI: 10.1007/bf00292385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of sterility of X-autosome translocations in the mouse, we studied the distribution of [3H]-uridine incorporation in sterile males carrying the balanced X-16 reciprocal translocation. The results failed to show an overall reactivation of the X as has been postulated by Lifschytz and Lindsley (1972) but there was some spreading of X inactivation along the translocated and normal chromosome 16 in those regions that were close to the X breakpoint. We feel that this process could be responsible for metabolic disturbances leading to degeneration of primary spermatocytes and, therefore, to sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Jaafar
- Institut d'Embryologie, Faculté de Médecine, Strasbourg, France
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29
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Gabriel-Robez O, Jaafar H, Ratomponirina C, Boscher J, Bonneau J, Popescu CP, Rumpler Y. Heterosynapsis in a heterozygous fertile boar carrier of a 3;7 translocation. Chromosoma 1988; 97:26-32. [PMID: 3191794 DOI: 10.1007/bf00331792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Silver-stained synaptonemal complexes (SCs) in surface-spread pachytene nuclei from a boar, heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation, were analysed by electron microscopy. In such heterozygotes, cross-shaped quadrivalent configurations are expected to form in order to maximize homologous pairing. Contrary to the classical, expected cross-shaped configuration, heterosynapsis was often observed, with asymmetrical association in the lateral elements of the non-homologous partners of the quadrivalents. This heterosynapsis is assumed to be a mechanism preventing spermatocyte loss, but inducing a secondary segregational type of impairment of fertility due to foetal wastage leading to reduced prolificacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Gabriel-Robez
- Institut d'Embryologie, Faculté de Médecine, Strasbourg, France
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30
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Luciani JM, Guichaoua MR, Delafontaine D, North MO, Gabriel-Robez O, Rumpler Y. Pachytene analysis in a 17;21 reciprocal translocation carrier: role of the acrocentric chromosomes in male sterility. Hum Genet 1987; 77:246-50. [PMID: 3679209 DOI: 10.1007/bf00284478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Pachytene analysis was undertaken in an infertile male, heterozygous for a 17;21 reciprocal translocation. The quadrivalent was identified by its configuration and chromomere pattern. A non-random association was found between the quadrivalent and the sex vesicle in 77% of the pachytene nuclei analysed. In 13.1% of the cells the contact with the sex vesicle was established by the terminal chromomere of the two chromosomes 21; in 63.9% of the cells, the entire region of the breakpoints was completely hidden by the sex vesicle. In some nuclei asynapsis was found in the region of the breakpoints. The nature of the contact between the quadrivalent and the sex vesicle is discussed in this paper. It is proposed that the acrocentric chromosome favours the contact between the quadrivalent and the sex vesicle, and increases the risk of sterility in male carriers of Robertsonian translocations and of reciprocal translocations involving one acrocentric chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Luciani
- Départment d'Embryologie et de Cytogénétique, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
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31
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Pellestor F, Sele B, Jalbert H. Chromosome analysis of spermatozoa from a male heterozygous for a 13;14 Robertsonian translocation. Hum Genet 1987; 76:116-20. [PMID: 3475245 DOI: 10.1007/bf00284905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Cytogenetic analysis of 78 spermatozoa from a man heterozygous for a t(13;14) Robertsonian translocation was performed. R banding was applied for chromosomal identification. Incidence of normal and balanced complements were respectively 50% and 41.3%. Six unbalanced complements (7.7%) were observed, resulting from adjacent segregation. Although alternate segregation is the most common mode of distribution, the possibility of producing unbalanced zygotes exists. The frequency of abnormalities unrelated to the translocation was 16.5% including 12.8% hypohaploïdy, 2.5% hyperhaploidy, and 1.2% of structural aberrations. An excess of t(13;14) X complements was observed (24 with X versus 14 with Y). This may result from the close association between trivalent (13;14) and X chromosome observed in the pachytene spermatocyte nucleus.
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32
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Abstract
When the Y chromosome of at least some populations of the house mouse of Western Europe and the Mediterranean, Mus musculus domesticus, is placed into the C57BL/6J (B6) inbred mouse genome, XY fetuses develop into hermaphrodites or females. It has been hypothesized that the testis-determining gene on the Y chromosome of M. m. domesticus (TdyDOM) interacts improperly with a putative B6/J recessive, testis-determining, autosomal gene (tda-1). The present study extended these earlier findings. The mating of B6 mice possessing the Y chromosome of M. m. domesticus (B6.YDom/Na; N6-N9) to females of the AKR, BALB/c, C3H/An, and C3H/He, but not SJL, strains resulted in aberrant testicular differentiation in day-14/15 F1 fetuses. The aberrant testes were characterized by a delay in testicular differentiation at the cranial and caudal poles of the gonad, i.e., the presence of a thin (or no) tunica albuginea and the presence of disorganized (or no) seminiferous tubules. Crossing B6.YDom male phenotypes with SJL females did not result in aberrant testicular differentiation, suggesting that the SJL strain possesses the dominant testis-determining, autosomal-1 allele, Tda-1. Studies using recombinant DNA probes specific for the murine Y chromosome have suggested that the SJL and AKR strains possess the M. m. domesticus Y chromosome. When Y chromosomes of the SJL and AKR strains were placed on the B6 background, aberrant testicular differentiation similar to tda-1 XY sex reversal occurred in only 1 out of 87 (1%) N4 day-14/15 fetuses possessing YSJL, but in 25 out of 45 (56%) N4 day-14/15 fetuses possessing YAKR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Meiosis and Male Infertility. Hum Genet 1987. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-71635-5_31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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Kalikinskaya EI, Kolomiets OL, Shevchenko VA, Bogdanov YF. Chromosome aberrations in F1 from irradiated male mice studied by their synaptonemal complexes. Mutat Res 1986; 174:59-65. [PMID: 3702907 DOI: 10.1016/0165-7992(86)90077-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Possible implications of surface-spread synaptonemal complex (SC) karyotyping in analysing the causes of sterility of F1 from irradiated male mice are demonstrated in this work. After irradiation by 137Cs gamma-rays at a dose of 5 Gy the males were mated to unirradiated females and genetic analysis of fertility in the F1 progeny was carried out. Males with abnormal fertility were examined for the presence of chromosome aberrations in diakinesis-metaphase I and in pachytene by the method of surface-spread SC karyotyping. In most cases, SC karyotyping provides additional information and permits the detection and analysis of aberrations that are not revealed in diakinesis. Two reciprocal translocations, one X autosomal and one nonreciprocal translocation were discovered in five F1 males studied. It is concluded that the method is efficient in detecting translocations in pachytene in partially fertile F1 hybrids of irradiated and normal mice.
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de Boer P, Searle AG, van der Hoeven FA, de Rooij DG, Beechey CV. Male pachytene pairing in single and double translocation heterozygotes and spermatogenic impairment in the mouse. Chromosoma 1986; 93:326-36. [PMID: 3698747 DOI: 10.1007/bf00327591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In order to clarify the relationship between meiotic pairing and progress of spermatogenesis, an analysis of male meiotic pairing was carried out in four reciprocal translocation heterozygotes and two double heterozygotes for two semi-identical reciprocal translocations. The reciprocal translocations were chosen to range from fertility (T70H/+) through almost complete sterility (T31H/+) to complete sterility (T32H/+, T42/H+). If meiotic pairing in the translocation multivalent was incomplete, it concerned terminal or probably more often proximal chromosome segments (Chain IV). If both segments failed to pair the multivalent symbol is Chain III + I. Complete pairing is symbolized by Ring IV. To contrast and complement observations of this type, the double heterozygotes were introduced. Males of this type in theory possess two heteromorphic bivalents with a central area of incomplete meiotic pairing (loop formation). Of the T70H/T1Wa double heterozygotes, 36% of the males are capable of inducing at least one decidual reaction in two females whereas for T26H/T2Wa, 79% of the males can do so. For the reciprocal translocations, it was found that proximity of the multivalent to the sex bivalent during pachytene increased in the order Ring IV, Chain IV, Chain III + I. The degree of spermatogenic impairment as measured from cell counts in histological sections and tubular whole mounts, is positively related to the frequency of proximity between the sex chromosomes and the translocation multivalent and thus to lack of meiotic pairing within the multivalent. The meiotic pairing analysis of the double heterozygotes yielded the following findings. For the long heteromorphic bivalents a true loop was never seen in T70H/T1Wa and only rarely observed in T26H/T2Wa. Small marker bivalents of both types were usually recognizable by the following criteria: pairing confined to distal or proximal segments, both distal and proximal segments pairing and loop formation and pairing covering the entire length of both "homologues" but the longer one often with a "thickened" lateral element. The same positive correlation between the absence of pairing (proximal, distal or central) and the proximity of the small marker bivalent synaptonemal complex to the sex bivalent has been found as for unpaired segments within reciprocal translocation multivalents. One unexpected finding was the occurrence of diploid spermatids and spermatozoa especially in T32H/+ males (70-91%) but also in T31H/+ (3-39%).
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Abstract
The XY bivalent contained within the sex vesicle of chromosomally normal male mice shows virtually no RNA transcriptional activity as measured by autoradiography during the prophase of meiosis. Tertiary trisomic males, derived from the T 70 H and T 31 H reciprocal translocations, include the extra small marker chromosome to varying degrees within the sex vesicle. It has been found that RNA transcription occurs within the sex vesicles of such trisomics. An attempt has been made to correlate such activity either to the extra marker chromosome itself or to a possible reactivation of the normally quiescent sex bivalent. The relationship of the abnormal RNA synthesis to the breakdown of meiosis in tertiary trisomics and to their subsequent reduced fertility is discussed.
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Saadallah N, Hulten M. A complex three breakpoint translocation involving chromosomes 2, 4, and 9 identified by meiotic investigations of a human male ascertained for subfertility. Hum Genet 1985; 71:312-20. [PMID: 4077048 DOI: 10.1007/bf00388456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Whole mount pachytene spreads were used to investigate the pairing of a supposed balanced reciprocal t(4;9) translocation in a human male ascertained for subfertility. All well spread pachytene spermatocytes analysed by light microscopy and electron microscopy contained a hexavalent instead of the expected quadrivalent this suggesting that a third chromosome was involved. The hexavalent showed a high efficiency of synapsis with the six arms fully paired except for the proximal segments adjacent to the breakpoints. Further meiotic investigations by the air-drying technique and the reassessment of the mitotic karyotype using stretched chromosomes revealed that the rearrangement is indeed a complex three breakpoint translocation t(2;4;9)(p13;q25;p12). There was an indication of a reduced chiasma frequency of the hexavalent but no interchromosomal effect on chiasma pattern could be detected. No selective association between the hexavalent and the XY configuration was found at any stage, and unless the central lack of pairing is of relevance we have no explanation for the subfertility and reduced testicular size. Except for the hexavalent the most impressive feature of the meiosis of this complex translocation was in fact its normality including the end product with repeated spermiograms being indistinguishable from the normal. Karyotyping of individual spermatozoa has, however, not been performed.
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Mahadevaiah S, Mittwoch U, Moses MJ. Pachytene chromosomes in male and female mice heterozygous for the Is(7;1)40H insertion. Chromosoma 1984; 90:163-9. [PMID: 6094122 DOI: 10.1007/bf00292392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Pairing of pachytene chromosomes was studied in oocytes and spermatocytes of mice heterozygous for the male-sterile Is(7;1)40H insertion using light and electron microscopy for synaptonemal complex analysis in surface-spread, silver-stained preparations. The data comprised four males and four female embryos. The insertion/deletion configurations appeared as either two bivalents or one quadrivalent in both sexes, but the proportion of bivalents was higher in oocytes. Some insertion and deletion bivalents showed synaptic adjustment. The insertion/deletion configurations were associated with, or adjacent to, the XY bivalent in the majority of spermatocytes. End-to-end association of different bivalents was more frequent in oocytes than in spermatocytes. It is suggested that physiological differences between male and female gametocytes may lead to the difference in their reproductive potential.
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Spyropoulos B, Ross PD, Moens PB, Cameron DM. The synaptonemal complex karyotypes of palearctic hamsters, Phodopus roborovskii satunin and P. sungorus pallas. Chromosoma 1982. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00292266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Chandley AC. A pachytene analysis of two male-fertile paracentric inversions in chromosome 1 of the mouse and in the male-sterile double heterozygote. Chromosoma 1982; 85:127-35. [PMID: 7094697 DOI: 10.1007/bf00344599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Meiotic studies have been made at pachytene on two paracentric inversions in chromosome 1 of the mouse. Surface-spread preparations of primary spermatocytes have been analysed at the light microscope level in males heterozygous for the inversions In (1) 1 Rk and In (1) 12 Rk and in the double heterozygote In (1) 1 RK/In (1) 12 Rk. In singly heterozygous form, neither inversion produces any serious effect on male fertility. In the double heterozygote, spermatogenesis is arrested in the majority of cells at the spermatocyte stage and males are rendered totally sterile by azoospermia. In the double heterozygote, a complex loop, indicating the inversion bivalent, is found in 90% of pachytene cells analysed. In the In (1) Rk/+ heterozygote, a looped bivalent was seen in 47 per cent of pachytene cells but in In (1) 12 Rk/+ no cells containing loops could be found. -- 80% of pachytene spermatocytes from the In (1) 1 Rk/In (1) 12 Rk double heterozygote showed apposition of the inversion bivalent to the sex bivalent. Such an association was rarely seen in pachytene cells of either of the fertile single heterozygotes. Spermatogenic failure in the double heterozygote may be related to interference, by the inversion bivalent, with X chromosome inactivation at meiotic prophase.
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