Y chromosome disappearing: Is the future of male population at risk?

Listen to Story As the world progresses, biologists have shed light on how the Y chromosome, one of the two sex chromosomes in humans, is on the cup of disappearing. The complete disappearance of this chromosome would mean the end of the male offspring in the future. However, there is some hope.

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science has revealed that the spiny rat, a rodent species native to Japan, has evolved a new male-determining gene as its Y chromosome disappeared. This discovery offers hope for human survival as our own Y chromosome faces potential extinction in the coming millions of years. The potential loss of the human Y chromosome remains a concern.

(Photo Getty) The Y chromosome carries genes that are crucial for the development of male reproductive tissues, such as the testes, and it triggers the pathway for male sex determination. Males typically have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), while females have two X chromosomes (XX). The Y chromosome is much smaller than the X chromosome and contains fewer genes.

According to Jennifer A Marshall Graves, a distinguished Professor of Genetics and Vice Chancellor's Fellow, the human Y chromosome is running out of time. In the last 300 million years, it has lost 1393 of its original 1438 genes, and at this rate it will lose the last 45 in a mere 10 million years. The human Y chromosome, which contains the SRY gene responsible for male development, has been degenerating over time.

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