Articles tagged with Epididymis
Research with rats found that maternal diet lacking protein during pregnancy and lactation can compromise reproductive health of male offspring. Changes in epididymis structure and function lead to impairments in motility, viability, and sperm concentration.
A team of researchers used biopsies from young bulls to investigate the genes and mechanisms controlling male fertility. They found a large number of genes associated with fertility in bulls, most of which are also relevant to human male fertility.
Researchers discovered AKG/OXGR1 signaling pathway's role in maintaining epididymal fluid acid-base balance and regulating sperm maturation. AKG supplementation improved sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction rates in aging mice, providing a potential strategy for targeting male fertility disorders.
Scientists discovered two new targets, EPPIN domains, to block sperm motility, a complex process that allows sperm to reach the egg. The study demonstrates the feasibility of using mice as models for in vivo trials, simplifying preclinical studies and paving the way for novel male contraceptives.
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 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.
Researchers from the University of Bath have conducted double-blind experiments showing that healthy mice pups can be born from sperm without acquired short RNA chains, challenging a proposed mechanism of epigenetic inheritance. The study undermines claims made by two 2018 papers that reported RNA addition was necessary for fertility.
Studies by UMass Medical School Professor Oliver J. Rando and colleagues found that small RNAs in sperm play a crucial role in normal pre-implantation development, with subtle differences between sperm from the epididymis impacting offspring health.
Environmental pollutants interfere with hormonal signalling mechanisms in males, causing multiple pathologies including infertility. Professor Daniel Cyr's research focuses on sperm maturation and the role of a cellular barrier in the epididymis.
Researchers identified Gpx5 as a protective protein for immature sperm in the epididymis, reducing oxidative stress and associated with improved fertility outcomes. In contrast, males lacking Gpx5 showed increased miscarriage rates and fetal developmental defects.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has discovered a key gene involved in the development of the epididymis, a critical structure for sperm fertility. The gene, inhibin beta A, plays a vital role in stimulating cell growth and differentiation, leading to the formation of the epididymal tube.