The Effect of the T/t Locus on Sperm Penetration in vivo in the House Mouse

Abstract
The timing and morphology of sperm penetration in vivo after insemination by C57BL/6-tw32/+ male mice were compared to sperm penetration after insemination by C57BL/6-+/+ males. Morphologically abnormal decondensing sperm chromatin was occasionally seen, indicating that abnormal spermatozoa may sometimes be successful in egg penetration. Spermatozoa from BL/6-tw32/+ males appeared to penetrate eggs sooner than spermatozoa from BL/6-+/+ males, suggesting that the T/t locus may have an effect on sperm function in fertilization, perhaps because of the other known abnormalities of these spermatozoa, such as an increased energy metabolism and unique surface antigens.

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