Oligotriche and quaking gene mutations. Phenotypic effects on mouse spermatogenesis and testicular steroidogenesis.

The phenotypic actions of the oligotriche gene mutation on testicular function have not been elucidated, although it is known that male mice homozygous for the mutation are infertile. In the present study, the effect of the oligotriche gene mutation on mouse testicular function was analyzed by comparing normal and mutant mice. Spermatogenesis was analyzed by enumerating germ cells in seminiferous tubules at specific stages of spermatogenesis and by electron microscopy. Steroidogenic potential was estimated by radioimmunometric determination of testosterone secreted by testes perfused in vitro. Parallel studies were completed for male mice homozygous for the quaking gene mutation, a mutation known to cause male mouse sterility by disrupting sperm tail development. The experimental results suggest that the oligotriche and quaking gene mutations interfere with sperm tail formation by different mechanisms. Testicular steroidogenesis was not affected by either gene mutation. The results provide the first evidence that the oligotriche gene mutation induces male mouse sterility by effecting the complete absence of a sperm tail. This phenotypic action is different from that of the quaking gene mutation.