Meiosis-specific component of some cohesin complex required during the initial steps of prophase I in male meiosis. Probably required during early meiosis in males for separation of sister chromatids and homologous chromosomes. Replaces RAD21 in premeiotic S phase (during early stages of prophase I), while RAD21 reappears in later stages of prophase I. Involved in synaptonemal complex assembly, synapsis initiation and crossover recombination between homologous chromosomes during prophase I (By similarity). . This is the function of ENSG00000244588 (RAD21L1, RAD21 cohesin complex component like 1).