May play a role in sperm development or sperm function (PubMed:17904097). However, does not appear to have an essential role in spermatogenesis or male fertility (PubMed:21439084). Localizes to the midpiece of the sperm tail. Expressed in germ cells of the testis (at protein level) (PubMed:17904097). Detected in blood lymph, colon, small intestine, ovary, testis, prostate, thymus and spleen with highest levels in testis (PubMed:21439084). A stop codon in the gene coding for this protein at position Glu-768 is responsible for functional diversity thus producing a pseudogene. The copy number of PTCHD3 varies between individuals with some individuals having no copy of the gene due to a 102,624 base pair deletion spanning the PTCHD3 gene. This deletion does not appear to be associated with an overt phenotype and is found in 0.6-1.6% of individuals of European ancestry. Belongs to the patched family.