The role of human and mouse Y chromosome genes in male infertility

It was suggested by Ronald Fisher in 1931 that genes involved in benefit to the male (including spermatogenesis genes) would accumulate on the Y chrom osome. The analysis of mouse Y chromosome deletions and the discovery of mi crodeletions of the human Y chromosome associated with diverse defective sp ermatogenic phenotypes has revealed the presence of intervals containing on e or more genes controlling male germ cell differentiation. These intervals have been mapped, cloned and examined in detail for functional genes. This review discusses the genes mapping to critical spermatogenesis intervals a nd the evidence indicating which are the most likely candidates underlying Y-linked male infertility. (C) 2000, Editrice Kurtis.