Articles tagged with Sperm
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Bank voles produce mating plugs that promote the transport of their own sperm while partially obstructing rival males' ejaculates. Large plugs facilitate the transport of each male's own sperm, increasing the chances of fertilization.
Researchers found that too many crossover events can lead to flawed chromosome segregation, resulting in increased infertility. The study provides fundamental insights into the mechanisms of fertility and may lead to potential clinical applications.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified a single-measure biomarker in sperm mitochondrial DNA that may predict male reproductive health and pregnancy success. Higher levels of this biomarker are associated with lower odds of cycle-specific pregnancy and 12-month fertility.
A recent study found that donor-conceived adults have a higher incidence of immunology diseases, including seven times more type 1 diabetes diagnoses and double the incidence of thyroid disease. The study suggests an altered immunological system may be driving these health conditions.
A University of Illinois study identifies a naturally occurring sugar called glycans that slows sperm maturation in pigs, allowing for extended sperm storage time. The discovery has potential applications in fertility testing and AI success rates.
Fossilized ostracods found in 100-million-year-old amber reveal evidence of sexual intercourse, including male clasper, sperm pumps, hemipenes, eggs, and female seminal receptacles. This discovery provides insights into ancient ostracod autoecology and reproductive behavior.
Scientists have created pigs, goats, and cattle with the ability to produce sperm carrying only donor animal traits, enabling selective breeding and improving food production. This technology has great potential for genetic conservation of endangered species and addressing global food insecurity.
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 to remove endogenous germline in recipients, allowing for donor-derived spermatogenesis. The approach shows promise for improving livestock and conserving endangered species.
Research suggests that male butterflies use external mating plugs to enforce monogamy, while females counterattack by evolving larger or more complex organs to render the plugs ineffective. The study found no link between mating plugs and increased species diversity.
Researcher Erin Kelleher is studying how some individuals can tolerate genetic mutations caused by 'jumping genes,' which can lead to devastating effects on reproductive cells. Her work aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of bruno-dependent tolerance in fruit flies and its potential implications for tumor cells.
A recent study found that men who used smartphones and tablets in the evening had poorer sperm quality, with lower sperm concentration, motility, and progressive motility. Additionally, longer sleep duration was associated with higher sperm total and greater progressive motility.
Researchers found that women's reproductive secretions have a stronger effect on sperm performance in HLA dissimilar male-female combinations, indicating post-mating sexual selection. The study suggests that fertilization capability is dependent on immunogenetic compatibility between partners.
A Rutgers-led team discovered that coral sperm and eggs share similar gene functions during the planktonic stage, suggesting a crucial link to their reproductive success. The research, published in PeerJ, highlights the importance of understanding coral gametes' vulnerabilities to climate change.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have challenged long-held assumptions about how human sperm swim. Their groundbreaking study reveals significant differences between sperm movement and previously thought mechanisms, shedding new light on the complex biology of sperm motility.
The study revealed the Mediterranean sperm whale's widespread presence in the north-western Mediterranean Sea and identified a possible hotspot for habitat in the Gulf of Lion. Continuous day and night monitoring during winter months suggests different foraging strategies between areas.
A novel function of spermine synthase (SMS) has been identified as facilitating colorectal cancer growth, with excessive accumulation of spermidine having harmful effects on cell viability. Combined inhibition of SMS and MYC signaling induces cancer cell death and tumor regression.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies found associations between adiposity and low semen quality parameters. Overweight and obesity were linked to reduced semen volume, sperm count, vitality, and morphology, while underweight was associated with lower normal morphology.
Researchers studied leech reproduction and found that EE2 had little impact on abundance but some effects on gonad size. Leeches may be less sensitive to endocrine disrupting compounds than previously thought.
Researchers at Beckman Institute develop label-free imaging to evaluate fertility in sperm samples, enabling faster and more accurate analysis. The technique uses phase imaging with computational specificity to predict parameters critical to fertility.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have identified a quicker and less expensive way to count sperm in lobsters using DNA technology. This new method could help scientists better understand mating and population sustainability in various species.
A new male fertility test, Cap-Score, has been developed to predict which men need treatment and which couples might have success with different forms of assisted reproduction. The test quantifies sperm capacitation ability, enabling doctors and couples to make informed decisions about their fertility.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a reliable method to culture human sperm stem cells, overcoming a key bottleneck in SSC therapy. The approach uses AKT inhibitors to maintain the growth of immature germ cells with SSC characteristics, paving the way for potential clinical applications.
Researchers discovered a novel testicular luminal protein, NELL2, that triggers a chain of events maturing sperm and enabling motility in females. Sperm production occurs in the testis, then moves through the epididymis for maturation and storage.
Researchers at Kumamoto University have developed a novel sperm selection technology that uses microfluidic chip technology to improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates. The technique successfully collects and selects fertile sperm with high viability, resulting in higher fertilization rates.
Researchers used structured illumination microscopy and expansion microscopy to visualize the three-dimensional ultrastructure of the synaptonemal complex in mouse cells. The study revealed a far more complex structure than previously assumed, with details of molecular organization that were previously hidden.
A new study from the University of Georgia has found that exposure to a banned flame retardant can alter the genetic code in sperm, leading to major health defects in children. The research focuses on paternal exposure prior to conception and uses a unique combination of observational and laboratory approaches.
Research from Stockholm University and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust shows that human eggs use chemical signals to attract sperm. The study found that different women's eggs attract different men's sperm, not necessarily their partners. This phenomenon allows the egg to choose high-quality or genetically compatible sperm.
Researchers identify NELL2, a testicular protein that travels through the epididymis to mature sperm and enable fertilization. The discovery sheds light on male infertility and offers new avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic research.
Two Harvard Medical School studies provide new insights into normal and abnormal DNA recombination during sperm and egg cell formation. Researchers report variable rates of chromosome abnormalities and found evidence that a single biological process regulates the number, location, and spacing of crossovers where parents' DNA recombines.
Researchers from CNRS and IGBMC demonstrate that meiosis in mice begins and proceeds normally even without retinoic acid. Meiosis is a crucial process for the transmission of unique sets of genes to offspring, resulting in novel assortments of chromosomes.
Researchers assembled jojoba genome into 26 chromosomes with 23,490 protein-coding genes, revealing evolutionary history and agronomic properties. The plant's ability to store wax in its seeds makes it a promising source of sustainable liquid wax esters for pharmacy, cosmetics, and hair care products.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new technology to identify and select better-quality sperm cells, which could increase the chances of pregnancy and a healthy fetus. The technology uses light computed tomography (CT) to create highly dynamic 3D maps of sperm contents without cell staining.
Australian researchers discovered that Toxoplasma-infected male mice passed altered epigenetic signatures to their offspring, affecting brain development and behavior. The study raises concerns about potential long-term impacts of infections in human fathers on their children's health.
A new protein called FIMP plays a crucial role in sperm-oocyte membrane fusion during fertilization, a process critical to creating a new individual. The discovery of FIMP could lead to the development of novel fertility treatments and non-hormonal male-specific contraceptives.
A study by Kanatsu-Shinohara et al. shows that spermatogonial stem cell transplantation can restore sperm development in infertile mice, offering potential treatment for male infertility. The research uses chemically castrated mice with a Cldn11 gene deficiency.
Scientists have identified a crucial protein called SKP1 that drives a key transition step in male meiosis, the process resulting in sperm production. Without this protein, meiosis cannot proceed, and defects can occur, leading to male infertility, pregnancy loss, or birth defects.
A study found that stress can alter sperm composition and influence fetal brain development in the womb, potentially affecting future generations. Researchers discovered a biological mechanism by which stress changes sperm and interacts with maturing sperm, leading to significant changes in brain development and stress response.
Research by RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research identifies ATF7 as essential for intergenerational effects on metabolic disorders, such as diabetes. The study found that a male mouse's diet influences the health of future children through epigenetic changes in sperm cells.
UC San Diego researchers found that the enzyme SPRK1 plays a crucial role in untangling a sperm's genome by kicking out special packing proteins. This process allows for major reorganization of the paternal DNA and enables the fusion of the mother's and father's half-genomes.
A study published in Science found that Hydractinia, a North Atlantic jellyfish, can produce eggs and sperm more flexibly than humans. The research reveals that the jellyfish uses a gene called Tfap2 to commit its adult stem cells to gamete production throughout its lifetime.
A new microfluidic chip developed by researchers can quickly identify small differences in sperm chemotactic behavior, providing a more complete picture of male fertility. The device uses a concentration gradient of progesterone to guide sperm towards the egg, offering a pump-free alternative to existing tests.
Researchers have figured out how millipedes mate by using high-tech imaging techniques and blacklights that make the different tissues glow. The findings show that the male's gonopods insert sperm into the female's vulvae through tiny claws, while the female's vulvae seal up with a gooey secretion to trap the sperm.
Researchers studied Hydractinia's unique ability to produce germ cells nonstop throughout its life. The study found that the gene Tfap2 controls perpetual germ cell production in this animal, a process similar to humans but with distinct differences. This discovery could provide clues to human reproductive disorders.
UCLA researchers have made a breakthrough in developing lab-grown eggs and sperm for infertility treatment. They discovered that human stem cells can be coaxed into forming germ cells, which are the precursors to egg and sperm cells. The study could pave the way for generating healthy eggs and sperm in a laboratory setting.
A new cryopreservation technique has been developed to preserve genetically modified rat spermatozoa, which are difficult to store due to their large size and sensitivity to temperature changes. The method, tested on genetically modified rats, successfully produced over 300 offspring from a single male rat.
A new study provides the first in-depth look at the human sperm microbiome using RNA sequencing. The researchers found that non-targeted sequencing of human sperm RNA can identify micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses, offering a potential diagnostic tool for microbial status and fertility assessment.
The University of Dundee has developed an unrivalled, fully automated robotic screening system that rapidly tests the effect of drugs and chemicals on human sperm. The system allows for large-scale testing of previously approved drugs, including over 13,000 compounds, to find effective agents that halt sperm movement.
A research team from Tohoku University found that corals adjust their spawning timing according to environmental conditions, such as wind speed and temperature, allowing them to optimize mating opportunities. This fine-tuning helps corals adapt to changing ocean environments.
Sperm cells activate 90% of their genes, a pattern seen in other species, to repair DNA before passing it to the next generation. This process may influence the evolution of specific genes, with unexpressed genes containing fewer DNA code errors.
A pilot study conducted by INRS researchers highlights the effect of chemotherapy on male fertility before and after puberty. The study found that all patients were at higher risk of infertility due to low sperm production, regardless of age at diagnosis.
Ethicists argue that sperm donation after death is morally permissible to plug the UK's shortage of donor sperm and increasing demand. The process would involve collecting and freezing sperm after death through electrical stimulation or surgery, with health checks addressing potential genetic concerns.