Articles tagged with Sperm
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Researchers at Cornell University have developed micro-robotic swimmers powered by high-frequency sound waves, which can propel tiny robots forward. The technology has potential for targeted drug delivery and could be used to navigate the human body.
A study published in Cell Reports Medicine reveals the molecular and cellular changes in testicular tissue of infertile men, identifying alterations in spermatogonial stem cell compartment. The research provides new insights into male infertility and prepares ground for better diagnosis.
A University of Massachusetts Amherst scientist suggests that rising social stress may contribute to the projected global population decline starting in 2064. Stress from social media and other social interactions may be leading to changes in reproductive behavior and physiology, resulting in decreased reproduction rates.
Researchers at Kyoto University have made a groundbreaking discovery by creating functional sperm cells from mouse pluripotent stem cells. The breakthrough has significant implications for male fertility and reproduction, providing a new model for generating male germ cells in a test tube.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill engineered ultra-potent antibodies that effectively trapped and blocked over 99.9% of human sperm during animal testing. The promising results suggest an alternative non-hormonal option to prevent pregnancy may be available.
A new gene ZFP541 has been discovered by researchers at Kumamoto University to control the completion of meiosis in spermatogenesis. The study found that ZFP541 plays an essential role in regulating meiosis and is expressed in late meiotic prophase, binding to regulatory regions of meiosis-related genes.
Researchers from Osaka University identified SPATA33 as a key regulator of sperm motility, which will aid in developing fast-acting male contraceptives. The study also clarified the mechanism by which SPATA33 controls sperm motility, shedding light on the cause of male infertility.
A new study has found that the absence of Aire protein in mice leads to fertility problems similar to those affecting men with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I (APS-1). Researchers discovered that Aire-dependent central tolerance plays a critical role in maintaining male fertility.
Researchers in Japan have created a method to preserve mouse sperm by freeze-drying it on a plastic sheet, enabling easy transportation via postcard. The 'sperm book' stored at -30°C, can hold thousands of sperm samples, and the mailing method has shown promising results with high offspring rates.
Researchers identified a novel lncRNA, Teshl, which plays a crucial role in the development of Y-bearing sperm and regulates sex chromosome gene expression. The study provides new insights into sex ratio variations and suggests that genetics may be a key factor in human male infertility.
A computer simulation model of the mammalian female genital tract identifies essential physical characteristics and abilities for successful sperm migration. The study's findings have potential to improve assisted reproduction techniques in endangered species, livestock, and humans without animal experiments.
Researchers have developed an anti-sperm monoclonal antibody that shows potent sperm agglutination and immobilization activity, making it a safe and effective method of birth control. The Human Contraception Antibody (HCA) is being tested in a Phase I Clinical Trial and could address current gaps in the contraception field.
Scientists have discovered a species of algae with three sexes - male, female, and bisexual - which can breed in pairs, shedding new light on the evolutionary transition to self-compatible mating systems. This phenomenon is rare among living organisms, but researchers believe it may not be as uncommon as previously thought.
Research from the John Innes Centre uncovers how small RNAs in plant tapetal cells influence DNA methylation in sperm, ensuring genetic integrity across generations. This breakthrough discovery has far-reaching implications for crop biotechnology and fundamental biological understanding.
Female fruit flies undergo a behavioral change after mating, becoming more selective towards males with higher levels of aphrodisiac pheromone. This preference is induced by the juvenile hormone and reduces their sensitivity to pheromones, leading them to prefer males with more attractive scents.
Researchers at UToledo have identified a new sperm movement that helps diagnose and treat male infertility. The study reveals the centriole's role in sperm evolved from a shock absorber to a transmission system, enabling more efficient movement.
A University of California, Irvine-led study reveals albumin activates a proton channel giving sperm the ability to penetrate and fertilize an egg, and allowing white blood cells to secrete inflammatory mediators. The interaction also enables neutrophils to produce and secrete inflammatory mediators that kill bacteria and fight infection.
Researchers from Stockholm University found that animal sperm evolve rapidly only when fertilization occurs inside females. Sperm size varies dramatically among species, but internal fertilization leads to supersized sperm.
Researchers from Charité and University of Bonn identify four substances that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication in host cells, including niclosamide, a tapeworm drug. These findings suggest potential new treatment against COVID-19.
Researchers successfully engineered yeast to produce spermidine, a natural molecule that induces autophagy, in hopes of addressing age-related diseases. The production yield reached 2.3 grams per liter, paving the way for fermentation-based manufacture of polyamines and their analogues.
The University of Toledo has received a three-year $500,000 grant from the USDA to develop tools for selecting bulls with superior fertility. The project aims to reduce dairy production costs and advance ongoing human fertility research by identifying atypical centrioles in bull sperm.
Researchers discovered a genetic mutation in FSIP2 protein that affects sperm flagella, leading to infertility. Mice with the mutation had impaired sperm movement, while those overproducing FSIP2 were fertile with longer, faster-swimming sperm.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have discovered that ray sperms rotate both their head and tail to move, creating a heterogeneous dual helix propulsion system. This unique motion provides high environmental adaptability and efficiency, enabling bidirectional swimming and maneuverability in various viscosities.
New research reveals that stressed male mice can pass on their stress behaviors to their offspring through changes in the sperm's genetic code. This finding indicates that sperm transmits short-term environmental information to offspring, influencing their stress responses.
A team of scientists led by Yoshiaki Nakamura successfully reversed male infertility in mice through a new method that artificially tunes the fate of sperm stem cells. The results, published in Cell Stem Cell, show great promise for future applications in regenerating human sperm after cancer treatment and preserving genetic diversity.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have created sterile male mosquitoes using CRISPER/Cas9, a technique that could suppress Aedes aegypti populations. The study found that the mutant males produced no sperm but still suppressed female fertility, making them effective in controlling mosquito populations.
A Washington State University study links alterations in hatchery-raised steelhead trout's epigenetic programming to reduced fertility and abnormal health. The research suggests that faster growth practices and environmental factors can lead to epigenetic changes passed down through generations, impacting wild fish populations.
Sperm deliver signals that increase the chances of conception by persuading female reproductive tissues to accept the male partner's genetic material. Factors like age, diet, and environmental exposures can affect sperm quality, impacting pregnancy health.
A team of scientists successfully artificially inseminated 97 baby sharks, including some with no father at all, using a new technique that could help aquariums expand their shark breeding programs. The study found that freshly collected semen was effective in fertilizing eggs in 27.6% of cases.
Researchers link C9ORF72 mutations to neuronal death in familial ALS patients by discovering a toxic mechanism that blocks cellular processes involving DNA and RNA. The newly identified mechanism reveals how arginine-rich proteins displace essential proteins, leading to cell death.
A new study challenges claims of declining global sperm count, citing a 'biovariability framework' that suggests natural variation is the norm. The research aims to contribute to discussions on reproductive health and challenge racist assumptions in sperm count studies.
A study has found that sperm development is linked to testicular cancer in men. Germ cells that fail to undergo sex-specific differentiation and retain pluripotent features are more likely to transform into cancer cells.
Researchers found that competition for resources led to the development of vastly different sizes between egg cells and sperm cells. The study used mathematical modeling to demonstrate how natural selection favored larger gametes due to increased nutritional value, while smaller gametes required fewer resources.
A team of scientists from UNIGE has identified a crucial role for a micro-peptide in determining the sperm that will fertilize an egg in Drosophila females. The peptide plays a key part in the competition between spermatozoa from different males, and its absence leads to reduced fertility in subsequent matings.
A large-scale study has identified a new genetic link to male infertility, revealing that unstable Y chromosomes are associated with a significantly increased risk of fertility issues. The study analyzed over 2,300 Estonian men and found that the genetic variation was more common in European descent populations.
A new study at McGill University identifies a non-DNA based means by which sperm remember a father's environment and transmit that information to the embryo, affecting gene expression and leading to birth defects. The discovery opens new avenues for studying disease transmission and prevention.
Researchers at The Lundquist Institute have discovered a new compound called triptonide, which exhibits ideal male contraceptive effects in pre-clinical studies. Triptonide can be purified from a Chinese herb or produced through chemical synthesis and induces altered sperm with minimal motility, leading to male infertility in 3-4 weeks.
Researchers successfully grow mouse stem cells into sperm in the body of rats, paving the way for efficient reproduction and future applications.
A new study published in Aquatic Toxicology found that shrimp on the South Coast of England have significantly lower sperm counts due to pollution. The research also discovered a decline in population density and fertility issues among other marine creatures, including humans.
A study from Keck Medicine of USC found that a mail-in sperm testing kit can accurately analyze semen up to 52 hours after collection, surpassing the current one-hour test. This innovation allows men to provide specimens from home, improving flexibility and accessibility for fertility evaluations.
The new risk score, developed by HKBU and CUHK researchers, uses urine spermine levels to estimate a patient's risk of developing prostate cancer. The test has been shown to accurately identify high-risk patients and help reduce unnecessary biopsies.
Research reveals that sperm cells with the t-haplotype exhibit increased motility and competitiveness, attributed to optimal RAC1 activity. This genetic factor enables them to disable competitors while producing an antidote to protect themselves.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a trifunctional contraceptive gel that enhances male libido and prevents pregnancy in 100% of cases. The gel combines spermicidal, anti-viral, and libido-enhancing agents, demonstrating improved safety and quality of sexual intercourse.
A new test can identify chromosomal mutations in sperm produced after chemotherapy and radiation treatments, which may affect fertility and child health. The AM8 FISH protocol measures aneuploidy and other chromosomal aberrations in treated sperm, providing a potential tool for men seeking to have children.
Researchers discovered a large class of mammalian genes are not completely shared across spermatids, leading to uneven allele distribution and potential mechanisms for sperm-level natural selection. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed 'genoinformative markers' that can act as selfish genetic elements.
A study published in Communications Biology reveals that failing queens have low sperm viability and high levels of viruses, leading researchers to discover a trade-off between immunity and reproduction. The findings offer new insights into the mysterious decline of queen bee health.
Researchers at Washington State University have identified biomarkers in fathers' sperm that are linked to an increased risk of their children developing autism. These epigenetic markers can be detected with high accuracy and may help diagnose the condition, as well as identify environmental factors that contribute to its development.
Researchers found that glycylation, a rare modification of tubulin protein, is essential for maintaining straight swimming motion in sperm cells. Without this modification, sperm swim in circles due to uncoordinated activity of molecular motors.
A preliminary study found that a drug helping immune cells self-clean can improve vaccine protection in older adults. The drug boosts autophagy, which is blunted in older individuals, restoring immune cell function and enhancing vaccination efficiency.
A study by the University of Portsmouth discovered that giant feathery shipworms engage in competitive mating, where larger worms have an advantage due to longer siphons. The researchers observed stages of sperm transfer and sparring between rival mates, revealing a sophisticated form of reproductive behavior.
Exposure to glyphosate creates biomarkers predicting prostate and kidney diseases, obesity, and multiple diseases in subsequent generations. In a study of 50 rats each, 90% of third- and fourth-generation rats developed health problems by middle age.
Researchers have developed an acoustofluidic process that can isolate sperm with normal head morphology and high DNA integrity from raw semen samples. The device selects over 60,000 high-quality sperm in under 50 minutes, providing a clinically-relevant number for IVF and ICSI.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have derived a new intermediate embryonic stem cell type that can contribute to chimeras and create precursors to sperm and eggs in culture. This discovery could lead to advances in basic biology, regenerative medicine, and reproductive technology.
Researchers discovered a critical subunit, CatSper1, in winning sperm's racing stripes that helps control mobility and navigation. Sperm with intact channels advance further in the reproductive tract, while those without are eliminated.
A protein called CatSper1 acts as a molecular 'barcode', helping determine which sperm cells survive to fertilize an egg. The study's findings may enable new approaches to treating infertility by understanding the selection process in the female reproductive tract.
Researchers found that adding tree nuts to a Western-style diet improves sperm count, viability, motility, and morphology. Nut consumption also alters specific sperm DNA methylation patterns, with 97.2% of regions displaying hypermethylation.
Researchers at Kumamoto University have clarified the mechanism behind homologous chromosome pairing, a process necessary for sperm and egg formation. The study shows that cohesin acts as a marker to call HORMAD1 to the chromosome prior to homologous chromosome pairing, highlighting its importance in reproductive medicine.
Researchers used roundworms to uncover a DNA damage mechanism in sperm, which can lead to male infertility caused by high temperatures. The study provides insight into how temperature affects sperm development and suggests a potential molecular basis for heat stress-induced fertility issues.
Researchers have developed a protein delivery system that restored normal sperm development and allowed previously infertile mice to father pups. The treatment delivered a key protein called PIN1 directly to mouse testicles, repairing damaged reproductive cells and improving fertility.
A nutritional supplement called SPIN is being developed to support the immune system in fighting against SARS-CoV-2. The supplement contains wheat germ polyamine and eugenol, which have been shown to have antiviral properties and may help reduce the severity of symptoms.