Researchers in Japan have used a new tool called Y-CUT to remove the Y chromosome from male mouse embryos, successfully producing healthy, fertile female mice and clones.
Key facts
- •The Y-CUT tool removes the Y chromosome from male mouse cells to induce sex reversal.
- •The resulting female mice have XO chromosomes but remain healthy and fertile.
- •Researchers successfully created female clones from male mouse cells using this method.
- •The study was led by Takashi Ishiuchi of the University of Yamanashi and Shogo Matoba of the Riken BioResource Research Center.
- •The technique could potentially be used to create female offspring from male samples in endangered species populations.
A team of researchers in Japan has successfully converted male mouse embryos into females by removing the Y chromosome. Using a CRISPR-based tool named Y-CUT, the scientists created healthy, fertile female mice and, in a separate experiment, generated female clones from male mouse cells. The findings, which have not yet undergone peer review, were published in a preprint paper on bioRxiv earlier this month.
The Y-CUT Technique
The Y-CUT method targets a specific section of the Y chromosome to ensure it is not inherited during cell division. By applying this tool to male mouse embryos, researchers produced female pups with XO chromosomes—meaning they possess one X chromosome instead of the typical two. These animals grew to be healthy and fertile. In a second experiment, the team applied the technique to cloned cells before transferring them into surrogate mice, resulting in female clones that are genetically identical to the original male donor, minus the Y chromosome.
Potential Applications in Conservation
Researchers suggest the technique could assist in rescuing endangered species, particularly when only male individuals remain. By creating female clones from cryopreserved male cells stored in "frozen zoos," scientists could potentially enable reproduction for species on the brink of extinction. While the method currently requires egg cells from a female of the same or a closely related species, experts note that emerging technologies, such as the ability to turn male cells into egg cells, could provide the necessary materials for the process.
Timeline
- 2009Researchers reported the accidental birth of a single female pup in a batch of 27 clones created from male mouse cells.
- 2023Katsuhiko Hayashi and colleagues demonstrated the ability to turn cells from male mice into egg cells.
- Earlier this monthThe research team published their findings on the Y-CUT technique in a preprint paper on bioRxiv.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by MIT Technology Review.
