XRCC6 and Infertility: The deletion of Bax has been shown to negatively impact males, causing testicular degeneration and infertility.51 Conversely, bax−/− females maintain fertility longer in life because of increased oocyte survival,52 and this improvement in ovarian function may contribute to the better health span seen in Bax-deficient Ku70-null females to further enhance their survival.