“The Y chromosome is probably the weirdest chromosome in the human genome. Scientists already knew that it determines the male sex, but other than that it was considered a genetic junkyard. It contains very few actual genes — the rest is repetitious, random DNA.
But in two papers published in the June 19 issue of Nature, 40 scientists from around the world describe how the Y chromosome is likely a key for understanding male infertility, since genetic defects often cause the inability to procreate. They also were surprised to find that it swaps DNA within itself — essentially having sex with itself — to prevent the so-called junk from festering. ” MORE
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