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.

Study reveals health outcomes of children conceived using donor sperm

Children conceived using donor sperm have similar health and well-being to the general population, according to a study published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online.

13 Jul 2017

New DNA-based vaccine protects testes, sperm from Zika-related damage in mouse models

While the Zika virus is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, research has shown that the disease can affect semen and sperm and can therefore be spread through sexual intercourse.

11 Jul 2017

Scientists find single protein that controls genes essential for spermatogenesis

Scientists have found a single protein--Ptbp2--controls a network of over 200 genes central to how developing sperm move and communicate. The protein works by regulating how RNA is processed during each stage of sperm development.

10 Jul 2017

Ubiquitous human herpesvirus 6 may play key role in brain diseases like multiple sclerosis

The ubiquitous human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) may play a critical role in impeding the brain's ability to repair itself in diseases like multiple sclerosis.

10 Jul 2017

Novel technique analyzes sperm morphology and motility in embryo formation process

The research, presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology annual conference, which ends today in Geneva, Switzerland, describes for the first time the use of an experimental technique that has made it possible to analyze the functioning of human sperm in contact with the cytoplasmic content of the eggs in vitro.

7 Jul 2017

CHOP researchers pinpoint WDR26 haploinsufficiency as cause for rare genetic syndrome

Researchers have identified a rare genetic syndrome characterized by intellectual disability, seizures, an abnormal gait and distinctive facial features.

6 Jul 2017

Increase in male partner’s age associated with decline in cumulative live birth rate, study finds

A new study of IVF couples, conducted in the USA, finds the effects of the age of male partners in cumulative live birth outcomes. The results clearly state that there can be a significant reduction in the chances of live births owing to the increased age of the male partner, also seen with certain younger female age groups whose age has less potency on the effects.

3 Jul 2017

Live birth outcome affected by age of male partner, study shows

Men, unlike women, do not have a menopause or a predictable and detectable decline in their fertility. Female age is thus the dominant factor in predicting (or explaining) a couple's chance of conception, whether natural or assisted.

3 Jul 2017

Timing of mutations can have effect on health and disease

A single genetic mutation can lead to completely different diseases, depending on the time and location at which the mutation occurs.

30 Jun 2017

Researchers suggest new strategy to identify germline mutations in men with prostate cancer

Scientists have had limited success at identifying specific inherited genes associated with prostate cancer, despite the fact that it is one of the most common non-skin cancers among men.

29 Jun 2017

Noisy environment at night linked to infertility in men

Long-term exposure to a noisy environment, particularly at night, is linked to infertility in men, according to a study in Environmental Pollution.

28 Jun 2017

UC biologist explores structural complexities of butterflies to unlock mysteries of human infertility

When insects skip the light fandango their romantic foreplay often involves some pretty crazy things like hypnotic dance moves and flashy colors. In some species it ends with a complex ejaculate package that does more than fertilize offspring.

28 Jun 2017

Researchers study Lassa fever patient's immune response and viral persistence

When an American nurse working in West Africa became ill with Lassa fever and was evacuated to the U.S. for treatment in 2016, it provided a rare opportunity.

22 Jun 2017

Higher paternal age translates into geekier sons !

A new study has found that men who delay having children are more likely to have “geekier” sons. The “Geek Index” devised by the King's College London was tested on kids of older fathers and it found that these kids were more intelligent and focused and less bothered about being included and fitting in. The mothers did not seem to have an impact and daughters too did not have an impact from being born to older fathers says the study.

22 Jun 2017

Study finds link between common household chemicals and birth defects in mice

A new study at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech has found a connection between common household chemicals and birth defects.

16 Jun 2017

Nagoya University research identifies skin disease inherited as germline mutation from father

Nagoya University research identified a patient with the whole-body skin disease epidermolytic ichthyosis that had been inherited as a germline mutation from her father with the milder epidermolytic nevus.

16 Jun 2017

Irreversible infertility risk in men linked to urogenital infections

In couples who have not been able to have children, male infertility is the cause in at least half of cases. In 6-10% the cause is a urogenital infection.

14 Jun 2017

Study uncovers new genetic markers linked to testicular germ cell tumors

Testicular cancer is relatively rare with only 8,850 cases expected this year in the United States. A majority of testicular cancer, 95 percent of all cases, begins in testicular germ cells, which are the cells responsible for producing sperm.

13 Jun 2017

Fertility preservation presents important ethical issues for children with DSD

Children with differences of sex development (DSD) are born with reproductive organs that are not typically male or female. They may face infertility from abnormal development of testes or ovaries, and in some patients these organs are surgically removed to prevent an increased risk of germ cell cancer.

2 Jun 2017

Mouse sperm subjected to cosmic environment still produces healthy offspring, report researchers

Freeze-dried mouse sperm that spent nine months in the harsh environment of space have successfully fertilized eggs and produced healthy offspring in mice.

23 May 2017