Essential for spermatogenesis. May be required specifically for ribosome biogenesis and hence protein synthesis during male meiosis. Expressed predominantly in germ cells of the testis; weakly expressed in brain. Apparently 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.