CONSERVED Y-CHROMOSOMAL LOCATION OF TSPY IN BOVIDAE

We determined the chromosomal location of TSPY, the testis-specific pr otein, Y-encoded, by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to chro mosome spreads of cattle, goat and sheep. Using a cloned polymerase ch ain reaction (PCR) product of one bovine TSPY family member, we were a ble to show a conserved Y chromosomal localization for TSPY in all thr ee species, In contrast to a limited regional distribution of TSPY FIS H signals on the chromosome of man, other primates, great apes, goat a nd sheep, in cattle TSPY-related sequences appear to be spread over mo st of the Y chromosome, The painting effect observed in this species r eflects the higher complexity of the bovine TSPY gene family, being co mposed not only of a tandemly repeated cluster, but harbouring a large number of different family members dispersed all over the Y chromosom e.