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Organization of the Y chromosome in testis cells of fetal, subadult and adult mice as determined by in situ hybridization

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Abstract

In order to reveal the time-course of decondensation of the Y chromosome in Sertoli cells, testes preparations of fetal, subadult and adult laboratory mice in different developmental stages were hybridized in situ with biotinylated probe pY353/B, which binds along the entire long arm of the mouse Y chromosome. All fetal and subadult testicular cells exhibited tightly compacted hybridization signals, indicating highly condensed Y chromosomes. Diffuse signals, indicating decondensation of the Y chromosome were found for the first time in the structurally differentiated Sertoli cells of 35 to 40 day old animals. Since this coincides with the appearance of mature sperm nuclei, a correlation between decondensation of the Y chromosome and its activity in sperm maturation and/or sperm motility can be presumed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biozentrum, Institut für Humangenetik der Universität, Am Hubland, D-97074, Würzburg, Germany

    M. Guttenbach & M. Schmid

  2. Institut für Biologie, Medizinische Universität Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23562, Lübeck, Germany

    H. Winking

Authors
  1. M. Guttenbach
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  2. H. Winking
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  3. M. Schmid
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Communicated by: C. Heyting

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Guttenbach, M., Winking, H. & Schmid, M. Organization of the Y chromosome in testis cells of fetal, subadult and adult mice as determined by in situ hybridization. Chromosoma 102, 618–622 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00352309

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00352309

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