The human DAZ gene family is expressed in germ cells and consists of a cluster of nearly identical DAZ (deleted in azoospermia) genes on the Y chromosome and an autosomal homolog, DAZL (DAZ-like). Only the autosomal gene is found in mice. Y-chromosome deletions that encompass the DAZ genes are a common cause of spermatogenic failure in men, and autosomal homologs of DAZ are essential for testic...

Background Background: Mammalian spermatogenesis is regulated through paracrine and endocrine activity, specific cell signaling, and local control mechanisms. These highly specific signaling interactions are effectively absent upon placing testicular cells into two-dimensional primary culture. The specific changes that occur between key cell types and involved spermatogenesis signaling pathways...

Spermatogenesis in adulthood depends on the successful neonatal establishment of the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) pool and gradual differentiation during puberty. The stage-dependent changes in protein prenylation in the seminiferous epithelium might be important during the first round of spermatogenesis before sexual maturation, but the mechanisms are unclear. We have previous found that alt...

background: hox genes are well-known transcription factors that play essential roles in directing embryonic development. tgifly is a y-linked homeobox gene that was originally identified by virtue of its expression in adult testis. the functions of tgifly in normal and abnormal development are unknown. methods: to investigate the potential roles of tgifly gene in the infertile males, a semi-nes...