Mice homozygous for this recessive mutation may have one or more tail kinks or bend in the tail, but there is variable expressivity and possibly incomplete penetrance. Some tail kinks are only identifiable by palpation. Heterozygous intercrosses generated approximately 11% phenotypic mutants and homozygote x heterozygote crosses also generated approximately 11% phenotypic mutants. Histological assessment of two 28-week-old mutants found segmental tubular degeneration and atrophy, reduced spermiogenesis, evidence of germ cell depletion, and possible degeneration of cartilage in the femoral growth plate and underside of the patella in one mouse. One attempt at <i>in vitro</i> fertilization of BALB/cByJ oocytes with sperm from a homozygote failed.

This spontaneous mutation causes bends and kinks in the tail and reduced spermiogenesis. Histology also shows segmental tubular degeneration and atrophy in the testes with germ cell depletion. The underlying molecular lesion has not been identified. Because of the male infertility, sperm cryopreservation was done from heterozygous males, thereby requiring a progeny test to identify homozygotes after cryo-recovery.

Typically mice are recovered in 12-16 weeks. Contact Customer Service to place an order or for more information.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.jax.org/jax-mice-and-services/customer-support" rel="noreferrer">Contact Customer Service</a> for more information.