Microinjection of Bkm-related male-specific mouse DNA into autologous zygotes

Abstract

GATA-rich Bkm-related DNA in the mouse Y chromosome is closely associated with the sex determining locus in the Sxr (sex reversed) mutation. Bkm-related male-specific DNA was gel separated from male mouse DNA as a > 23 kb band afterHue III andBst NI digestions and microinjected into mouse zygotes to determine its effects on sexual differentiation. We observed that 1 out of 7 XX embryos and 3 out of 35 weaned female mice possessed a > 23 kb male-specific band, though the hybridization intensity was very low in comparison to the normal control male. Two presumptive male carriers of the injected Bkm DNA were identified by progeny tests. Various sporadic anomalies in sexual phenotypes were noted but no obvious connection was established between these and the injected Bkm-related DNA. No significant effects on sex ratio were found.