Do X and Y spermatozoa differ in proteins?

作者：Hendriksen PJM^*

来源：Theriogenology, 1999, 52(8): 1295-1307.

DOI：10.1016/S0093-691X(99)00218-6

• X and Y spermatozoa
• X and Y chromosome
• H-Y antigen
• membrane proteins
• post-meiotic expression

This article reviews the current knowledge about X- and Y-chromosomal gene expression during spermatogenesis and possible differences between X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa (X and Y sperm) in relation to whether an immunological method of separation of X and Y spermatozoa might some day be feasible. Recent studies demonstrated that X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatids do express X- and Y-chromosomal genes that might theoretically result in protein differences between X and Y sperm. Most, if not all, of these gene products, however, are expected to be shared among X and Y spermatids via intercellular bridges. Studies on aberrant mouse strains indicate that complete sharing might not occur for all gene products. This keeps open the possibility that X and Y sperm may differ in proteins, but until now, this has not been confirmed by comparative studies between flow-cytometrically sorted X and Y sperm for H-Y antigen or other membrane proteins.

• 出版日期1999-12