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.

Researchers develop non-hormonal contraceptives to reduce side effects for couples

In the 1970s, the contraceptive pill was the most frequently used method of contraception in Western countries; in Germany, for example, one in three women used "the pill."

6 Mar 2026

Targeted mRNA delivery restores sperm production and fertility in infertile mice

Researchers have found that targeted delivery of messenger RNA (mRNA) can restore sperm production and fertility in genetically infertile male mice.

5 Mar 2026

Single prenatal exposure to fungicide linked to disease across 20 generations

A single exposure to a toxic fungicide during pregnancy can increase the risk of disease for 20 subsequent generations - with inherited health problems worsening many generations after exposure.

20 Feb 2026

Embryonic reproductive cells reveal striking genomic architecture before development

Researchers at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) and Imperial College London have shown for the first time that, before they can start developing into egg and sperm cells, the embryonic precursors of these cells uniquely reshape the 3D organization of their genetic material.

20 Feb 2026

Blood test shows promise in forecasting outcomes for germ cell tumors

Can fragments of tumor DNA in the blood predict whether chemotherapy will be effective? Researchers at the Princess Máxima Center investigated this question together with experts from Italy and Slovakia.

19 Feb 2026

Groundbreaking methods identify aggressive prostate cancer

The research lays a foundation for the possibility that aggressive prostate cancer can probably be detected through a few drops of semen or blood in the long term.

12 Feb 2026

Too many antioxidants may negatively affect future offspring

Antioxidants have been marketed as miracle supplements, touted for preventing chronic diseases and cancers; treating COPD and dementia; and slowing aging.

4 Feb 2026

IVF study finds shorter insemination protects embryo availability without harming success

Short-term sperm–oocyte co-incubation during IVF cycles with only one or two retrieved oocytes produced cumulative live birth rates comparable to conventional overnight insemination. It also improved fertilisation metrics and reduced cancellation or no-embryo cycles, suggesting practical laboratory advantages without improving overall live birth probability.

4 Feb 2026

Trump policies at odds with emerging understanding of covid’s long-term harm

27 Jan 2026

Sperm RNA aging shift that may explain paternal age effects

Study reveals an 'aging cliff' in sperm RNA, linking age-related changes to early development and highlighting risks associated with advanced paternal age.

22 Jan 2026

How "old RNA" reshapes sperm metabolism

Increasing paternal age has been linked to elevated health risks for the next generation, including higher risks of obesity and stillbirth. But what drives this increased risk remains unknown.

20 Jan 2026

Age-related sperm changes at imprint regions linked to autism risk

A new research paper was published in Volume 17, Issue 12 of Aging-US on December 29, 2025, titled "Age-specific DNA methylation alterations in sperm at imprint control regions may contribute to the risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring."

16 Jan 2026

New publication describes the chemical journey of non-hormonal male birth control pill

A newly published manuscript authored by Dr. Gunda Georg, YourChoice Therapeutics and Columbia University Medical Center describes the chemical journey of YCT-529, a non-hormonal male birth control pill, and the promising molecular science behind it.

12 Jan 2026

Paternal microplastic exposure alters metabolic health in offspring

A study led by biomedical scientists at the University of California, Riverside, has shown for the first time that a father's exposure to microplastics (MPs) can trigger metabolic dysfunctions in his offspring.

23 Dec 2025

Researchers discover new mutation hotspot in the human genome

Researchers have discovered new regions of the human genome particularly vulnerable to mutations. These altered stretches of DNA can be passed down to future generations and are important for how we study genetics and disease.

26 Nov 2025

New sequencing method reveals how transposons move and shape the genome

Cornell researchers have found that a new DNA sequencing technology can be used to study how transposons move within and bind to the genome.

22 Nov 2025

Evidence links severe gum disease to erectile dysfunction and broader men’s health risks

A healthy mouth is also key to a healthy body, as gum disease has been linked to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer's.

20 Nov 2025

Micro-RNA in sperm proves vital for human embryogenesis

The sperm is not a passive supplier of genetic material to the egg. A study from Linköping University, Sweden, shows that certain molecules that come with the sperm, so-called micro-RNA, contribute to the development of the embryo several days after conception. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, may in the long term contribute to better diagnosis and treatment of involuntary childlessness.

10 Nov 2025

Study reveals how "P bodies" heavily influence a cell's fate

How do stem cells know what to become? Nearly three decades after scientists isolated the first human embryonic stem cells, researchers are still working hard to understand precisely how a single, undifferentiated cell can become any one of the roughly 200 cell types that make up the human body.

4 Nov 2025

New genomic method enables multiple people with rare conditions to receive diagnoses

A new genomic method has enabled multiple people with rare conditions to receive diagnoses that were previously unattainable by identifying complex structural genetic changes that are often missed by standard tests.

3 Nov 2025