Sperm News and Research

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The term sperm refers to the male reproductive cells. In the types of sexual reproduction known as anisogamy and oogamy, there is a marked difference in the size of the gametes with the smaller one being termed the "male" or sperm cell. The human sperm cell is haploid, so that its 23 chromosomes can join the 23 chromosomes of the female egg to form a diploid cell.

Auxilium and Prasco introduce authorized generic version of Testim

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a fully integrated specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it has partnered with Prasco, LLC ("Prasco") to introduce an Authorized Generic version of Testim® (testosterone gel).

11 Jun 2014

Cannabis use affects size and shape of sperm in young men

Young men who use cannabis may be putting their fertility at risk by inadvertently affecting the size and shape of their sperm according to research published today (Thursday 5 June 2014).

5 Jun 2014

Scientists define genetic cause for two types of birth defects in newborn boys

Baylor College of Medicine scientists defined a previously unrecognized genetic cause for two types of birth defects found in newborn boys, described in a report published today in the journal Nature Medicine.

2 Jun 2014

Particular genetic variation in humans linked with blond hair

A single-letter change in the genetic code is enough to generate blond hair in humans, in dramatic contrast to our dark-haired ancestors.

2 Jun 2014

Experts from ProfNet network available to discuss timely issues in coverage area

Below are experts from the ProfNet network that are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. If you are interested in interviewing any of the experts, please contact them via the contact information at the end of the listing.

31 May 2014

New insights into egg selection may have broad implications for women's health, fertility

A woman's supply of eggs is a precious commodity because only a few hundred mature eggs can be produced throughout her lifetime and each must be as free as possible from genetic damage.

30 May 2014

Men who feel stressed have fewer, slower sperm

Psychological stress is harmful to sperm and semen quality, affecting its concentration, appearance, and ability to fertilize an egg, according to a study led by researchers Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and Rutgers School of Public Health.

30 May 2014

Sex cell determination requires maintenance throughout life

The way in which the sex of an organism is determined may require lifelong maintenance, finds new research from the University of Minnesota.

23 May 2014

Separating sperm and eggs from somatic cells preserves genetic building blocks

We have hundreds of types of cells in our bodies - everything from red blood cells to hair follicles to neurons. But why can't most of them create offspring for us?

23 May 2014

Scientists uncover early steps of totipotency in sperm precursors

In the body, a skin cell will always be skin, and a heart cell will always be heart. But in the first hours of life, cells in the nascent embryo become totipotent: they have the incredible flexibility to mature into skin, heart, gut, or any type of cell.

20 May 2014

Birth defects do not appear to be associated with father's semen quality, says study

Birth defects do not appear to be associated with the father's semen quality, according to a new study at the 109th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA).

19 May 2014

Study examines predictors and effects of testosterone therapy

Three new studies examining the predictors, effects and durability of testosterone therapy on men will be presented to reporters at the 109th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) during a special press conference in the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL on Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

19 May 2014

Men with sperm abnormalities at increased risk of dying sooner, study finds

Men who are infertile because of defects in their semen appear to be at increased risk of dying sooner than men with normal semen, according to a study led by a researcher at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

16 May 2014

Scientists find protein that controls DNA organization during sperm development

Infertility is generally thought of as a woman's problem. In fact, more than 3 million men across America also experience it.

13 May 2014

3 pioneering cell biologists win 2014 E.B. Wilson Medal from American Society for Cell Biology

If cells were cars, then the three pioneering cell biologists just named winners of the 2014 E.B. Wilson Medal, the highest scientific honor of the American Society for Cell Biology, helped write the essential parts list.

8 May 2014

Researchers detect correlation between loss of Y chromosome and risk of cancer mortality

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29 Apr 2014

University of Michigan scientists uncover how cells block mutation-causing activity of junk DNA

There's a civil war going on inside every one of the 37 trillion cells in your body. Now, University of Michigan scientists have uncovered how your cells keep this war from causing too much collateral damage.

26 Apr 2014

Vivere-Winter Park recognizes 25th Annual National Infertility Awareness Week

Infertility is a disease affecting more than 7 million people across the U.S., according to the National Survey of Family Growth. That number represents 12 percent of women of childbearing age or one in eight couples.

22 Apr 2014

Study sheds light on tiny environments that stem cells occupy in animal bodies

Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered an unexpected phenomenon in the organs that produce sperm in fruit flies: When a certain kind of stem cell is killed off experimentally, another group of non-stem cells can come out of retirement to replace them.

21 Apr 2014

Findings offer new paths towards improved fertility treatments and development of new contraceptives

Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have discovered interacting proteins on the surface of the sperm and the egg essential to begin mammalian life. These proteins, which allow the sperm and egg to recognize one another, offer new paths towards improved fertility treatments and the development of new contraceptives.

17 Apr 2014