Essential for spermatogenesis. May be required specifically for ribosome biogenesis and hence protein synthesis during male meiosis (By similarity). Expressed in testis. Encoded by an autosomal retrotransposed copy of the X-linked gene UTP14A. Evolution of autosomal retrogenes from X-linked progenitors compensates for X-chromosome silencing during male meiosis. Belongs to the UTP14 family.