Retardation of ovarian growth in male-sterile mice carrying an autosomal translocation.

Ovarian volumes in 3- and 5-day-old mice heterozygous for the t(11;19)42H translocation were found to be smaller then those of normal controls. Comparisons between liter mates suggested a slight increase in body weight of the translocation bearers and this effect increased the difference in relative ovarian volumes between t42H/+ ice and controls. It is suggested that the differential effect of the translocation on fertility in males and females might be the result of the higher meiotic requirements inherent in spermatogenesis.