Previously, it was implicated that p53 plays a role in spermatogenesis. Here we report that p53 knockout mice exhibit significantly less mature motile spermatozoa than their p53(+/+) counterparts. To better understand the role of p53 in spermatogenesis, we analyzed the response of spermatogenic cells to DNA insult during prophase. It was found that although low-level gamma-irradiation activated a p53-dependent premeiotic delay, higher levels of gamma-irradiation induced a p53-independent apoptosis during meiosis. Furthermore, p53 knockout mice exhibited reduced in vivo levels of unscheduled DNA synthesis, indicative of compromised DNA repair. Thus, p53 provides another level of stringency in addition to other spermatogenic "quality control" mechanisms.