'The snip' may have irreversible effects on sperm
Scientists call for more research into the long-term effects of vasectomy, as results revealed today(1) suggest that the effects of 'the snip' might not be as "reversible" as previously thought. Work led by Dr Sheena Lewis at Queen's University Belfast on testicular biopsies shows that men who had a vasectomy more than 10 years ago have... view more... (2004-03-30)
Low sperm count may be associated with prenatal testosterone excess
Exposure to an excess of sexual steroids, like testosterone, during fetal development may be a potential risk factor for low sperm count and motility. view more (2008-09-23)
Quality control mechanism tags defective sperm cells inside the body
Defective sperm cells do not pass through the body unnoticed. A new University of Missouri study provides evidence that the body recognizes and tags defective sperm cells while they undergo maturation in the epididymis, a sperm storage gland attached to the testis. view more (2008-01-24)
New research challenges advice that men should abstain from sex before fertility treatment
Madrid, Spain: New research by Israeli fertility experts has challenged current medical opinion, which holds that refraining from sex for up to a week at least is beneficial for men prior to undergoing some types of fertility treatment. Doctors and scientists from Soroka University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, tested over... view more... (2003-06-27)
Low sperm count linked to organic solvents
Men repeatedly exposed to organic solvents are over twice as likely to have a low sperm count, reports a study in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The higher the level of exposure the greater was the risk, with professional printers and painters and decorators most at risk, the study shows. The research team focused on over 1200 manual... view more... (2001-09-07)
Sporty Sperm: A Stiff One Gets the Job Done More Quickly
A scientist who studies the phsyics of sperm "as a hobby" is challenging the current understanding of how sperm swim towards an egg. At the Society for Experimental Biology conference today Dr Christopher Lowe will present the results of his modelling of a sperm`s tail, suggesting we may need to re-think our assumptions of how sperm move through... view more... (2002-04-10)
Minimally invasive treatment helps infertile couples conceive
Couples struggling with infertility face uncertain odds when considering various treatment options. But a new study reveals that embolization, a minimally invasive treatment for arguably the most common cause of infertility in men, can significantly improve a couple's chances for pregnancy. view more (2006-11-29)
Stiff competition: size matters
Are longer sperm more successful than shorter sperm in the race for life? This is one of the questions Dr. Matthew Gage (University of East Anglia) will be addressing on Wednesday 31st March 2004 at the annual SEB meeting in Edinburgh (29th March - 2nd April 2004). Dr. Gage will present evidence that sperm speed, size and shape all matter when it... view more... (2004-03-26)
Synthetic Cannabinoid May Aid Fertility in Smokers
A reproductive medicine specialist at the University at Buffalo has shown that a new compound may improve the fertility of tobacco smokers who have low sperm count and low percentage sperm motility. view more (2006-12-04)
Sophisticated sexual behavior in roosters
In the animal world, it's common for females to mate with several males during one and the same reproductive period. This leads to sperm competition, that is, sperm from several different males compete to fertilize the egg at the same time. The most common response to increased sperm competition is for males to increase the number of sperm cells... view more... (2003-11-10)
Genomic imprinting in disruptive spermatogenesis (p 1700)
Low sperm counts could be associated with genomic imprinting disease and could carry a raised risk of transmitting imprinting defects following assisted reproductive technologies, claim researchers in this week's issue of THE LANCET. Genomic imprinting is a gene regulatory mechanism based on differential methylation, whereby only one of two... view more... (2004-05-19)
Protein translation in sperm
A new paper in the February 15th issue of Genes & Development lends novel insight into the cellular changes that occur in sperm while they reside in the female reproductive tract. view more (2006-02-15)
Researchers set standard for male fertility
Researchers in Leeds and the USA have developed a ‘gold standard’ for fertile sperm, in a major step towards understanding male infertility. In an article published in The Lancet, (pp772 06/09/2002) the researchers explain how they analysed genetic fingerprints from a range of sperm samples. Sperm cells have a complex genetic... view more... (2002-09-06)
A test to prove a woman has been raped
Stray Y chromosomes can confirm an allegation of rape A TEST that can prove a woman has been raped even if no sperm are found should be widely adopted, the first large-scale study suggests. After the trauma of rape, women who report it have to undergo a medical examination to look for sperm. But the... view more... (2002-02-27)
Italian study finds traffic pollution affects male fertility
A study by Italian researchers of motorway tollgate attendants has demonstrated that traffic pollution damages the quality of sperm in young and middle-aged men. In research published today (Wednesday 30 April) in Europe's leading reproductive medicine journal Human Reproduction[1] the research team from the University of Naples say their work... view more... (2003-04-26)
Mother's genes determine sperm design
A new study at the University of Sheffield, published today in Nature, has found that the size and shape of a zebra finch's sperm are genetically passed down from the mother, a fact that may also be true in humans. The paper Genetic effects on sperm design in the zebra finch, also suggests that when sperm operate in a non-competitive environment... view more... (2005-03-15)
Males have adapted to battle with competing sperm
In the context of sexual reproduction, natural selection is generally thought of as a pre-copulation mechanism. We are drawn to features of the human body that tell us our partner is healthy and will provide us a fighting opportunity to carry on our genetic lineage. view more (2007-02-12)
Sperm may play leading role in spreading HIV
Sperm, and not just the fluid it bathes in, can transmit HIV to macrophages, T cells, and dendritic cells (DCs), report a team led by Ana Ceballos at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. view more (2009-10-26)
Study looks at mitochondrial variation in sperm traits and sperm competitive ability
University of Nevada, Reno researchers Jeanne and David Zeh of the Department of Biology have received a five-year, $650,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate the effects of natural mitochondrial variation on sperm traits and sperm competitive ability. view more (2007-09-20)
US researchers sound warning note over postponing fatherhood - new findings confirm male fertility declines with age
Further evidence that men's fertility declines with age is reported today (Thursday 6 February) in Human Reproduction[1] - Europe's leading reproductive medicine journal. A study of 97 healthy non-smoking men aged from 22 to 80 has demonstrated that, as they age, men's semen quality declines. There was a continuous reduction in sperm motility... view more... (2003-02-02)
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