Molecular Aspects of Mouse Spermatogenesis: Reprint of: Cytogenetic and Genome Research 2003, Vol. 103, No. 3-4

In recent years considerable progress has been made in the identification, immunolocalization and biochemical characterization of proteins expressed in mammalian spermatogenic cells. However, under culture conditions spermatogenic cells are difficult to investigate and manipulate, a limitation that has often complicated their functional analysis. By using the mouse as a model system, some of these limitations have been overcome. The techniques of producing genetically manipulated (knockout, transgenic, etc.) animals and the host of information provided by the mouse genome project have contributed to the rapid progress in the functional analysis of the spermatogenic proteins of the mouse compared to other mammals. This special topic issue of Cytogenetic and Genome Research presents an excellent overview of recent advances in mouse spermatogenesis research. It will be of special interest to cell and molecular biologists, geneticists and andrologists.