Male Chromosome Research Articles

Sex Determination, Sex Chromosomes, and Karyotype Evolution in Insects.

Insects harbor a tremendous diversity of sex determining mechanisms both within and between groups. For example, in some orders such as Hymenoptera, all members are haplodiploid, whereas Diptera contain species with homomorphic as well as male and female heterogametic sex chromosome systems or paternal genome elimination. We have established a large database on karyotypes and sex chromosomes in insects, containing information on over 13000 species covering 29 orders of insects. This database constitutes a unique starting point to report phylogenetic patterns on the distribution of sex determination mechanisms, sex chromosomes, and karyotypes among insects and allows us to test general theories on the evolutionary dynamics of karyotypes, sex chromosomes, and sex determination systems in a comparative framework. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that male heterogamety is the ancestral mode of sex determination in insects, and transitions to female heterogamety are extremely rare. Many insect orders harbor species with complex sex chromosomes, and gains and losses of the sex-limited chromosome are frequent in some groups. Haplodiploidy originated several times within insects, and parthenogenesis is rare but evolves frequently. Providing a single source to electronically access data previously distributed among more than 500 articles and books will not only accelerate analyses of the assembled data, but also provide a unique resource to guide research on which taxa are likely to be informative to address specific questions, for example, for genome sequencing projects or large-scale comparative studies.

Sex chromosome loss after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in patients with hematologic neoplasms: a diagnostic dilemma for clinical cytogeneticists.

BackgroundSex chromosome loss (SCL), including loss of an X chromosome (-X) in females and loss of the Y chromosome (-Y) in males, resulting in a karyotype of 45,X, rarely occurs in patients post an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT). However, origin of this abnormal clone and its clinical significance remains unknown.ResultsWe present 12 cases with SCL who underwent alloHSCT; 9 patients (4 men and 5 women with a median age of 56 years) developed isolated SCL after alloHSCT (Group I), and 3 patients (all women with a median age of 58 years) had a SCL before undergoing alloHSCT after which SCL disappeared (Group II). The primary neoplasms included chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n = 5), acute myeloid leukemia (n = 5), chronic myelogenous leukemia with nodal marginal zone lymphoma (n = 1) and Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 1). According to the donor/recipient relationship, their alloHSCT can be divided into sex-matched, HLA-matched, unrelated donors (n = 2); sex-mismatched, HLA-matched, unrelated donors (n = 4); sex-mismatched, HLA-matched, related donors (2 HLA-identical and 2 HLA-haploidentical cases) and sex-matched, HLA-matched, related donors (2 HLA-haploidentical cases). In Group I, isolated SCL was first detected with a median interval of 3 months (range 1 to 42 months) after the alloHSCT. By the end of clinical follow-up in patients in Group I, 7 patients expired with a median overall survival of 45 months (range 3 to 108 months) after alloHSCT and 33 months (range 0 to 66 months) after SCL detection. In Group II, 1 patient expired with a survival time of 54 months after the alloHSCT. Detection of SCL after alloHSCT can be transient, intermittent or persistent.ConclusionsInterpretation of SCL is challenging in the context of alloHSCT. Chimerism testing is useful in determining the origin of SCL. In the case of SCL with donor/recipient chimerism, deduction of the SCL origin by all means and use of “–?X” or “–?Y” in the ISCN nomenclature are recommended. Clinical follow-up with closely monitoring the SCL by both cytogenetic and molecular analyses is needed.

Characterization of perfect microsatellite based on genome-wide and chromosome level in Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

Microsatellite studies based on chromosomes level would contribute to the biometric correlation analysis of chromosome and microsatellite applications on the specific chromosome. In this study, the total microsatellite length of 1,141,024 loci was 21.8Mb, which covered about 0.74% of the male Rhesus monkey genome. Perfect mononucleotide SSRs were the most abundant, followed by the pattern: perfect di->tetra->tri->penta->hexanucleotide SSRs. The main range of repeat times focused on 12–32 times (mono-), 7–23 times (di-), 5–10 times (tri-), 4–14 times (tetra-), 4–9 times (penta-), 4–8 times (hexa-), respectively. The largest SSRs number was found in chromosome 1 with 94,347 loci, followed by chromosome 3, 2, 7 and 5, and the smallest number was in chromosome 18. The predominant repeat types in male Rhesus monkey genome and chromosome Y were basically A, AC, AG, AAT, AAC, AAAT, AAAC, AAAG, AAACA and AAACAA. SSRs number of all chromosomes was closely positively correlated with chromosome sequence size (r=0.969, p<0.01), and significantly negatively correlated with abundance (r=−0.24, 0.01<p<0.05). The lengths of all chromosomes were significantly negatively correlated with microsatellite density (r=−0.456, 0.01<p<0.05), and relative abundance and density of SSRs in all chromosomes were significantly negatively correlated with SSR GC content (r=−0.939/−0.928, p<0.01). The SSRs GC content on chromosome X (accounting for 16.71%) was found to be the highest in female Rhesus monkey, which might contributed to the DNA methylation of CpG islands for sex chromosome X inactivation and expression regulation. These results and exported tetranucleotide repeat sequences in each chromosome for primer design would facilitate the exploration of microsatellites structural function, composition mode and molecular markers development in Rhesus monkey genome.

Unique sex chromosome systems in Ellobius: How do male XX chromosomes recombine and undergo pachytene chromatin inactivation?

Most mammalian species have heteromorphic sex chromosomes in males, except for a few enigmatic groups such as the mole voles Ellobius, which do not have the Y chromosome and Sry gene. The Ellobius (XX ♀♂) system of sex chromosomes has no analogues among other animals. The structure and meiotic behaviour of the two X chromosomes were investigated for males of the sibling species Ellobius talpinus and Ellobius tancrei. Their sex chromosomes, despite their identical G-structure, demonstrate short synaptic fragments and crossover-associated MLH1 foci in both telomeric regions only. The chromatin undergoes modifications in the meiotic sex chromosomes. SUMO-1 marks a small nucleolus-like body of the meiotic XX. ATR and ubiH2A are localized in the asynaptic area and the histone γH2AFX covers the entire XX bivalent. The distribution of some markers of chromatin inactivation differentiates sex chromosomes of mole voles from those of other mammals. Sex chromosomes of both studied species have identical recombination and meiotic inactivation patterns. In Ellobius, similar chromosome morphology masks the functional heteromorphism of the male sex chromosomes, which can be seen at meiosis.

Female-fatal product of the Yob gene

Malaria Mosquitoes Mechanisms of sex determination are highly variable and complex in invertebrates. For vector-borne disease control strategies, it is important to understand the reproductive biology of the organisms involved. Krzywinska et al. have studied sex determination in species of Anopheles mosquitoes, whose females suck blood and can transmit malaria parasites (see the Perspective by Sinkins). One gene called Yob is found only on the Y chromosome of males. Yob is expressed in male embryos within 2 hours of eggs being laid, and transcription continues lifelong. If Yob is injected into embryos younger than 2 hours, only male mosquitoes emerge, because Yob 's presence is lethal to female embryos. Science , this issue p. [67][1]; see also p. [33][2] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aaf5605 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aag1012

Chromosome counts and male meiosis in two species ofPleurospermumHoffm. (Apiaceae): additional comments on the cytogeographic pattern of the genus

Abstract Pleurospermum Hoffm. (Apiaceae), a widely spread, heterogeneous genus of complex and controversial taxonomy, is poorly known for chromosome number and meiotic details from the Indian subcontinent. In the current study, we examined male meiosis, chromosome counts, and pollen fertility in two species, P. candollii and P. govanianum from alpine areas of north-west Indian Himalaya. Both the species exist at diploid level (P. candollii, n = 11 or 2n = 22, P. govanianum, n = 9 or 2n = 18) with two different basic chromosome numbers, x = 9 and 11. Meiotic course in the majority of pollen mother cells (PMCs) is normal; however, few meiocytes showed the occurrence of chromatin transfer among themselves which resulted into the formation of hypoploid and hyperploid PMCs. In addition, some PMCs depicted associated irregularities such as laggards, and chromatin bridges during meiosis-I and II. Microsporogenesis was also observed to be abnormal, and was characterized by the presence of micronuclei in the spora...

ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system in the endangered fish Lignobrycon myersi Miranda-Ribeiro, 1956 (Teleostei, Characiformes, Triportheidae).

Lignobrycon myersi is an endemic fish species from a few coastal rivers in northeastern Brazil. Based on molecular evidence, Lignobrycon myersi and genera Triportheus Cope, 1872, Agoniates Müller & Troschel, 1845, Clupeacharax Pearson, 1924 and Engraulisoma Castro, 1981 were placed in the family Triportheidae. In the present work, we report the first cytogenetic data for Lignobrycon myersi to test the hypothesis that Lignobrycon and Triportheus are closely related. Studied specimens presented 2n=52 with 28 metacentric (m), 18 submetacentric (sm) and six subtelocentric (st) chromosomes for males and 27 m, 19 sm and 6 st for females, characterizing a ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system. The Z chromosome corresponds to the largest chromosome in karyotype while the W is about 50% smaller than the Z and largely heterochromatic. Terminal nucleolus organizer regions, GC-rich sites and 18S rDNA signals were detected on pair 14. However, additional 18S rDNA sites were observed in the W chromosome. The 5S rDNA was mainly detected on long arms of pair 7. The apparent synapomorphic chromosomal traits of Triportheus and Lignobrycon myersi reinforce their close phylogenetic relationship, suggesting that the ZZ/ZW chromosome system in both genera has arisen before cladogenic events.

Multicolor Spectral Analyses of Mitotic and Meiotic Mouse Chromosomes Involved in Multiple Robertsonian Translocations. I. The CD/Cremona Hybrid Strain

Multicolor spectral analysis (spectral karyotyping) was applied to mitotic and male diakinetic chromosomes of hybrid mice carrying a unique system of 18 autosomal Robertsonian translocation chromosomes with alternating arm homologies. Only the autosomes 19 and the XY sex chromosomes are excluded from these Robertsonian translocations. The translocations, previously identified by conventional banding analyses, could be verified by spectral karyotyping. Besides the Robertsonian translocations, no other interchromosomal rearrangements were detected. In diakineses of male meiosis, the 18 metacentric Robertsonian translocation chromosomes form a very large meiotic ‘superring'. The predictable, specific order of the chromosomes along this ‘superring' was completely confirmed by multicolor spectral analysis. In the majority of diakineses analyzed, the free autosomal bivalent 19 and the XY sex bivalent form a conspicuous complex which tightly associates with the 12;14 Robertsonian translocation chromosome in the ‘superring'.

A global molecular phylogeny and timescale of evolution for Cryptocercus woodroaches

Cryptocercus is a genus of sub-social wood-feeding cockroaches that represents the sister group to the eusocial termites. We generated mitochondrial (12S+16S rRNA, COII), nuclear (28S rRNA) and Blattbacterium endosymbiont (16S+23S rRNA) sequence data for 8 new Chinese species, and combined these with previously available data to undertake the most extensive analysis of phylogenetic relationships within the genus to date. As expected, phylogenetic relationships among Blattabacterium strains were found to be congruent with those of their hosts. Three major clades were found to exist in Asian populations, one representing taxa from the Hengduan mountains in Southwestern China, a second including taxa from Russia, Korea, Northeastern China, and Yunnan in the Hengduan Mountains, and a third including taxa from the Qinling Mountains and Daba Mountains in Central China. A molecular dating analysis using 7 termite fossils to calibrate the molecular clock indicated that the divergence of American and Asian Cryptocercus occurred 55.09Ma (41.55–72.28Ma 95% CI), and that the radiations of American and Asian taxa occurred 28.48Ma (20.83–37.95Ma 95% CI) and 20.97Ma (15.78–27.21Ma 95% CI) respectively. Reconstruction of ancestral geographic distributions using S-DIVA suggested Cryptocercus was originally distributed across both continents, as opposed to ancestral migration of Cryptocercus from one continent to the other. The last common ancestor of Asian Cryptocercus was inferred to have existed in Central China. An examination of male chromosome numbers in Asian Cryptocercus showed that diploid numbers vary from 2n=15 to 2n=41, and indicates the presence of eight new species. Our study represents the most comprehensive phylogenetic and biogeographic study yet performed for this important group of cockroaches.

Chocó, Colombia: a hotspot of human biodiversity.

Chocó is a state located on the Pacific coast of Colombia that has a majority Afro-Colombian population. The objective of this study was to characterize the genetic ancestry, admixture and diversity of the population of Chocó, Colombia. Genetic variation was characterized for a sample of 101 donors (61 female and 40 male) from the state of Chocó. Genotypes were determined for each individual via the characterization of 610,545 single nucleotide polymorphisms genome-wide. Haplotypes for the uniparental mitochondrial DNA (female) and Y-DNA (male) chromosomes were also determined. These data were used for comparative analyses with a number of worldwide populations, including putative ancestral populations from Africa, the Americas and Europe, along with several admixed American populations. The population of Chocó has predominantly African genetic ancestry (75.8%) with approximately equal parts European (13.4%) and Native American (11.1%) ancestry. Chocó shows relatively high levels of three-way genetic admixture, and far higher levels of Native American ancestry, compared to other New World African populations from the Caribbean and the United States. There is a striking pattern of sex-specific ancestry in Chocó, with Native American admixture along the female lineage and European admixture along the male lineage. The population of Chocó is also characterized by relatively high levels of overall genetic diversity compared to both putative ancestral populations and other admixed American populations. These results suggest a unique genetic heritage for the population of Chocó and underscore the profound human genetic diversity that can be found in the region.

The cryptic Y-autosome translocation in the small Indian mongoose, Herpestes auropunctatus, revealed by molecular cytogenetic approaches.

In initial studies of the eutherian small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus), the Y chromosome could not be identified in somatic cells. The male chromosome number is uniquely odd, 2n = 35, whereas that of females is 2n = 36. Previous reports indicated that this unique karyotype resulted from a translocation of the ancestral Y chromosome to an autosome. However, it has been difficult to identify the chromosomes that harbor the translocated Y chromosomal segment because it is an extremely small euchromatic region. Using a Southern blot analysis, we detected four conserved Y-linked genes, SRY, EIF2S3Y, KDM5D, and ZFY, in the male genome. We cloned homologues of these genes and determined their sequences, which showed high homology to genes in two carnivore species, cat and dog. To unambiguously identify the Y-bearing autosome, we performed immunostaining of pachytene spermatocytes using antibodies against SYCP3, γH2AX, and the centromere. We observed trivalent chromosomes, and the associations between the distal ends of the chromosomes were consistent with those of Y and X1 chromosomes. The centromere of the Y chromosome was located on the ancestral Y chromosomal segment. We mapped the complementary DNA (cDNA) clones of these genes to the male chromosomes using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and the linear localization of all genes was confirmed by two-colored FISH. These Y-linked genes were localized to the proximal region of the long arm of a single telomeric chromosome, and we successfully identified the chromosome harboring the ancestral Y chromosomal segment.

A quantitative understanding of human sex chromosomal genes

In the last few decades, the human allosomes are engrossed in an intensive attention among researchers. The allosomes are now already been sequenced and found there are about 2000 and 78 genes in human X and Y chromosomes respectively. The hemizygosity of the human X chromosome in males exposes recessive disease alleles, and this phenomenon has prompted decades of intensive study of X-linked disorders. By contrast, the small size of the human Y chromosome, and its prominent long -arm heterochromatic region s uggested absence of function beyond sex determination. But the present problem is to accomplish whether a given sequence of nucleotides i.e. a DNA is a Human X or Y chromosomal genes or not, without any biological experimental support. In our perspective, a proper quantitative understanding of these genes is required to justify or nullify whether a given sequence is a Human X or Y chromosomal gene. In this paper, s ome of the X and Y chromosomal genes have been quantified in genomic and proteomic level through Fractal Geometric and Mathematical Morphometric analysis. Using the proposed quantitative model, one can easily make probable justification or deterministic nullification whether a given sequence of nucleotides is a probable Human X or Y chromosomal gen e or not, without seeking any biological experiment. Of course, a further biological experiment is essential to validate it as the probable Human X or Y chromosomal gene homologue. This study would enable Biologist s to understand these genes in more quantitative manner instead of their qualitative features.

Third Sex and Gender Equity

Sex is between the legs and Gender is between the ears.[1] Sex of a person is the biological distinction of male and female (phenotypically penis is found in a male and vagina in a female; Genotypically testes in male and ovaries in a female; karyotypically XY chromosomes in a male and XX chromosomes in a female). Gender of a person is the social construct of a person. A male may have masculine attributes along with feminine attributes. Similarly a female may also have feminine and masculine attributes. It all depends on the power a person enjoys in the society. A male may have control over the female; upper caste female/male over the lower caste male/female; abled person over the disabled; rich person over the poor person – all these known as Intersectionality. This power imbalance leads to a lot of gender discrimination in the society. As a re-sult in the society, Male is considered as the first sex; female as second sex and other sex as third sex.

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS): A Case History

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS) is an inherited X-linked recessive disease with a mutation in the Androgen Receptor (AR) gene resulting in - functioning of Y sex chromosome and abnormality on X sex chromosome, where affected individuals have male chromosomes and male gonads with complete or partial feminization of the external genitals. Recently a case of complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (CAIS) is reported at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka. A 15 years old school girl was admitted with primary amenorrhea with bilateral inguinal hernia. Diagnosis of complete AIS is confirmed by discovering an adult male testosterone level, 46, XY karyotype, absence of axillary and pubic hair and a shallow vagina, with no cervix or uterus.&#x0D; Ibrahim Cardiac Med J 2014; 4(1): 33-37

Chromosome numbers in antlions (Myrmeleontidae) and owlflies (Ascalaphidae) (Insecta, Neuroptera).

A short review of main cytogenetic features of insects belonging to the sister neuropteran families Myrmeleontidae (antlions) and Ascalaphidae (owlflies) is presented, with a particular focus on their chromosome numbers and sex chromosome systems. Diploid male chromosome numbers are listed for 37 species, 21 genera from 9 subfamilies of the antlions as well as for seven species and five genera of the owlfly subfamily Ascalaphinae. The list includes data on five species whose karyotypes were studied in the present work. It is shown here that antlions and owlflies share a simple sex chromosome system XY/XX; a similar range of chromosome numbers, 2n = 14-26 and 2n = 18-22 respectively; and a peculiar distant pairing of sex chromosomes in male meiosis. Usually the karyotype is particularly stable within a genus but there are some exceptions in both families (in the genera Palpares and Libelloides respectively). The Myrmeleontidae and Ascalaphidae differ in their modal chromosome numbers. Most antlions exhibit 2n = 14 and 16, and Palparinae are the only subfamily characterized by higher numbers, 2n = 22, 24, and 26. The higher numbers, 2n = 20 and 22, are also found in owlflies. Since the Palparinae represent a basal phylogenetic lineage of the Myrmeleontidae, it is hypothesized that higher chromosome numbers are ancestral for antlions and were inherited from the common ancestor of Myrmeleontidae + Ascalaphidae. They were preserved in the Palparinae (Myrmeleontidae), but changed via chromosomal fusions toward lower numbers in other subfamilies.

Transgenic Chickens Overexpressing Aromatase Have High Estrogen Levels but Maintain a Predominantly Male Phenotype.

Estrogens play a key role in sexual differentiation of both the gonads and external traits in birds. The production of estrogen occurs via a well-characterized steroidogenic pathway, which is a multistep process involving several enzymes, including cytochrome P450 aromatase. In chicken embryos, the aromatase gene (CYP19A1) is expressed female-specifically from the time of gonadal sex differentiation. Ectopic overexpression of aromatase in male chicken embryos induces gonadal sex reversal, and male embryos treated with estradiol become feminized; however, this is not permanent. To test whether a continuous supply of estrogen in adult chickens could induce stable male to female sex reversal, 2 transgenic male chickens overexpressing aromatase were generated using the Tol2/transposase system. These birds had robust ectopic aromatase expression, which resulted in the production of high serum levels of estradiol. Transgenic males had female-like wattle and comb growth and feathering, but they retained male weights, displayed leg spurs, and developed testes. Despite the small sample size, this data strongly suggests that high levels of circulating estrogen are insufficient to maintain a female gonadal phenotype in adult birds. Previous observations of gynandromorph birds and embryos with mixed sex chimeric gonads have highlighted the role of cell autonomous sex identity in chickens. This might imply that in the study described here, direct genetic effects of the male chromosomes largely prevailed over the hormonal profile of the aromatase transgenic birds. This data therefore support the emerging view of at least partial cell autonomous sex development in birds. However, a larger study will confirm this intriguing observation.

Development of PCR-Based Markers to Determine the Sex of Kelps.

Sex discriminating genetic markers are commonly used to facilitate breeding programs in economically and ecologically important animal and plant species. However, despite their considerable economic and ecological value, the development of sex markers for kelp species has been very limited. In this study, we used the recently described sequence of the sex determining region (SDR) of the brown algal model Ectocarpus to develop novel DNA-based sex-markers for three commercially relevant kelps: Laminaria digitata, Undaria pinnatifida and Macrocystis pyrifera. Markers were designed within nine protein coding genes of Ectocarpus male and female (U/V) sex chromosomes and tested on gametophytes of the three kelp species. Seven primer pairs corresponding to three loci in the Ectocarpus SDR amplified sex-specific bands in the three kelp species, yielding at least one male and one female marker for each species. Our work has generated the first male sex-specific markers for L. digitata and U. pinnatifida, as well as the first sex markers developed for the genus Macrocystis. The markers and methodology presented here will not only facilitate seaweed breeding programs but also represent useful tools for population and demography studies and provide a means to investigate the evolution of sex determination across this largely understudied eukaryotic group.

Forensic application of Y-chromosomal STR analysis in Lithuanian population

This paper presents a comprehensive Y-chromosomal STR haplotype analysis in the Lithuanian population in order to evaluate Lithuanians’ Y chromosome diversity, to infer genetic relations between Lithuanian and other European neighbouring populations and to introduce population reference data for generation of reliable Y-STR haplotype frequency estimates to be used in the quantitative assessment of Y-STR haplotype match in the forensic casework. Data were collected from the peripheral blood samples of 194 unrelated males throughout various regions of Lithuania. The amplification of 17 Y-STRs was carried out in one multiplex PCR using an AmpFlSTR® Yfiler&lt;sup&gt;TM&lt;/sup&gt; PCR Amplication Kit according to the supplier’s protocol. The results indicated that the Y-chromosomal haplotype diversity in the Lithuanian population rises as the number of the analyzed Y-STRs is increased. However, all additional Y-STR loci are not hypervariable and only their whole makes a large diversity of Y-STR haplotypes in Lithuanian males. The analysis of molecular variance revealed low but significant interpopulation differences except the pair of Lithuanian and Latvian populations. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the clustered Y chromosome gene pool of Lithuanians and Latvians has a closer phylogenetic relation to Russian and Estonian populations and is less genetically related to other neighbouring populations of Belarus and Poland. Yet Y-STRs alleles and haplotypes differentiate effectively inside the Lithuanian population and between Lithuanians and its geographical neighbours excluding the Latvian population. Comparison of the Y-STR data suggests that Lithuanian and Latvian populations are closely related not only by geography and language but also by the Y chromosome gene pool represented by forensic Y-STR markers. Consequently, more forensic Y-STR markers should be included in the Y-STR haplotype in order to achieve a resolution between the Y chromosomes of Lithuanian and Latvian males. Lithuanian Y-STR haplotype data were submitted to the 34th release of the Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database 3.0 for match probability calculations in the forensic casework.

Sex chromosome recombination failure, apoptosis, and fertility in male mice.

Lack of crossing-over in meiosis can trigger an apoptotic response at metaphase I by the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). In contrast to females, segregation of sex chromosomes in males poses a particular challenge as recombination and chiasma formation is restricted to the pseudoautosomal region, the small region of homology between X and Y chromosomes. Existing data indicate that low levels of crossover failure in male meiosis can be tolerated without compromising fertility, while high levels of X-Y dissociation (in ≥70% of cells) result in widespread apoptosis and subsequent infertility, demonstrated earlier, e.g., in Spo11β-only mice. Here, we explore the threshold of X-Y recombination failure frequency that is compatible with fertility. We show that in Spo11β-only(mb) mice with a mixed genetic background, in contrast to Spo11β-only mice with a C57BL/6 background, X-Y pairing fails in ~50% of cells but this still allows for sperm production without any overt impact on fertility. We also review data on apoptosis and fertility from other achiasmate mouse models and propose that the incidence of homolog dissociation that can be tolerated in vivo without compromising male fertility lies between 50 and 70%.

Comparative cytogenetic study of three Macrolophus species (Heteroptera, Miridae).

Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur, 1839) (Insecta, Heteroptera, Miridae) is a predator of key vegetable crop pests applied as a biocontrol agent in the Mediterranean region. Macrolophus pygmaeus and Macrolophus melanotoma (A. Costa, 1853) are cryptic species with great morphological similarity which results in their misidentification and negative consequences for the conservation of their populations on greenhouse and outdoor crops. In order to find out specific markers for their separation we studied the karyotype, male meiosis and heterochromatin composition of these species and additionally of a third species (as a reference one), Macrolophus costalis Fieber, 1858. We demonstrate here that all the three species share achiasmate male meiosis and sex chromosome pre-reduction. On the other hand, the species differ in karyotype, with 2n=28 (26+XY) in Macrolophus pygmaeus, 2n=27 (24+X1X2Y) in Macrolophus costalis, and 2n=34 (32+XY) in Macrolophus melanotoma, and heterochromatin distribution and composition. In addition, the species differ in sperm morphology: sperm cells of Macrolophus costalis are significantly longer with longer head and tail than those of Macrolophus melanotoma and Macrolophus pygmaeus, whereas sperm cells of Macrolophus melanotoma have a longer tail than those of Macrolophus pygmaeus. All these characters can be used as markers to identify the species, in particular the cryptic species Macrolophus melanotoma and Macrolophus pygmaeus.