Isochromosome Y in an infertile heifer.

The chromosome makeup of a 3-year-old crossbred heifer was examined in an attempt to explore the cytogenetic causes of her infertility. The heifer proved to be a mosaic carrying predominantly XY cells and with approximately 30% of cells lacking a normal Y. The minor population included cells carrying a dicentric isochromosome Y and a small proportion of XO cells. Histological features of the gonads and reproductive system suggest that the presence of cells resulting from isochromosome formation and the consequent loss of the Y chromosome segment required for testicular induction may have been causally related to the embryonic state of the gonads and malformation of the duct system noted in this heifer.