IV.—Genetics of Gametes. IV. The Phenotype of Mouse Spermatozoa in Four Inbred Strains and their F1 Crosses

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Abstract
The expression of heritable variation in mammals is usually studied among the attributes of the adult; for example, in the body weight, milk yield, or colour of the pelt. A relatively new subject of study is that of heritable variation in the characteristics of gametes. It is of particular interest, because such variation in gametes may affect their fertility, which in turn might have repercussions on both fundamental and applied genetics. Current research is directed mainly to surveying the ways in which spermatozoa are subject to genetic influences. In the present work, heritable variations in the spermatozoa of mice are demonstrated, in the form of differences between inbred strains. The results are in virtually complete agreement with those of a previous study. It has also been found that variation in first generation crosses made from the pure strains can be largely accounted for by a blending inheritance of the characteristics of the parental types, together with an effect of heterosis. This appears to be the first demonstration in gametes of the phenomenon of heterosis, which is nearly but not quite the same as “hybrid vigour”.

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