Only two Y chromosome genes needed for viable mouse sperm

Though this mother mouse is the daughter of a male that had only two Y chromosome genes, she gave birth to a litter of healthy pups.

Monika Ward

Guest post by Meghan Rosen

Male mice need only two Y chromosome genes to make spermlike cells. These crude cells can’t travel to an egg by themselves, but they can fertilize one, if injected into it.

Embryos created using this technique can grow up to be healthy and fertile mice, researchers report November 21 in Science.

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