All Phenotypes Nectin2<tm1Vrr> MGI Mouse

reproductive system phenotype ( J:61334 )

N	• homozygotes contain normal numbers of sperm in the epididymides and vasa deferentia • mutant sperm contain wild-type levels of DNA • mutant testes are of normal size and weight • no histologic defects in Leydig, peritubular or Sertoli cells are observed

teratozoospermia ( J:61334 )

• mutant spermatozoa are motile but morphologically abnormal

abnormal sperm flagellum morphology ( J:61334 )

• mutant sperm have undulate tails

• the outer dense fibers are jumbled and extend into the head instead of surrounding the axoneme in the middle and principal pieces

abnormal sperm midpiece morphology ( J:61334 )

• the middle piece is often thinner and more undulate than wild-type

• mitochondrial helical sheaths and outer dense fibers appear disorganized

• levels of F-actin are abnormally low in the middle piece

disorganized sperm mitochondrial sheath ( J:61334 )

• the mitochondrial sheath of the middle piece is disorganized

abnormal sperm head morphology ( J:61334 )

• the heads of mutant spermatozoa are misshapen and contain mitochondria; in wild-type, mitochondria are located in the middle piece, but not in the head

abnormal acrosome morphology ( J:61334 )

• the acrosome appears heterogeneous

abnormal sperm nucleus morphology ( J:61334 )

• the sperm nucleus appear heterogeneous

• nuclei with irregular shapes and prominent vesicles are observed

abnormal spermiogenesis ( J:61334 )

• at steps 11 to 16 of spermiogenesis, all nuclei show shape irregularities and prominent translucent vesicles

• in contrast, mutant spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids (spermiogenesis steps 1 to 10) appear normal

male infertility ( J:61334 )

• homozygous mutant males are infertile

• in contrast, female fertility is unaffected