An Aspermia Rat Mutant (as/as) with Spermatogenic Failure at Meiosis.

A newly identified aspermia rat mutant was investigated on testicular histology and mode of inheritance of the defect. Average testis weight of mutants was about one-third of that of phenotypically normal males. Spermatogenesis was interrupted at meiosis. Pachytene spermatocytes significantly decreased in number. Secondary spermatocytes and few round spermatids were seen, but no elongated spermatids and sperms were observed. A large basophilic inclusion-like body existed in the cytoplasm of late pachytene spermatocytes. Genetic analysis revealed an autosomal recessive transmission of the defect. Aspermia (As) was designated for the locus.