Targeted Inheritance of Sex Offers a New Method to Improve Animal Breeding

A new study conducted by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (MPIMG) shows how the t-haplotype can be used to influence the inheritance of sex chromosomes in mice. The findings of the study, published in Genetics, demonstrate a potential targeted inheritance method to improve animal breeding.

During fertilization, the t-haplotype provides an advantage to half of the sperm by releasing “disruptive factors” that slow down the movement of rival sperm. T-haplotype also produces an antidote called Smok-Tcr that protects the sperm carrying the t-haplotype. Scientists leveraged this mechanism by inserting Smok-Tcr into either the X or Y chromosome and suppressing the unwanted sex chromosome.

Their findings showed that an optimized Smok-Tcr on the Y chromosome resulted in offspring that are nearly 90% female. The researchers say this approach could be adapted for the livestock industry. “The culling of unwanted animals is problematic both economically and in terms of animal ethics. Our method offers a solution to this problem,” said Dr. Bernhard Herrmann, research group leader and Director of the Department of Developmental Genetics at MPIMG.

For more information, read the article from MPIMG.