The effects of deletions in the Y chromosome of male mice are various. Smaller deletions lead to mild sperm shape defects and offspring sex ratio skew in favour of females, while larger deletions lead to more severe defects and sterility. Research by Peter in collaboration with the National Institute for Medical Research (London) and the Institut Cochin (Paris) identified X and Y chromosome genes that regulate both fertility and the sex ratio skewing. Recently, the Y chromosome gene “Zfy2” has been implicated in many aspects of male fertility, including “quality control” of developing sperm elongation of the developing sperm heads. Peter’s work is aimed at clarifying the molecular and physiological basis of mutations and deletions of genes on the Y chromosome.
