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 shed light on genome reorganization after fertilization in single-cell mammalian embryo

Using a newly developed method researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences have been able to shed light on the complexity of genome reorganization occurring during the first hours after fertilization in the single-cell mammalian embryo

30 Mar 2017

Study identifies major barriers to fertility preservation in transgender youth

Few transgender adolescents opted to pursue fertility preservation, according to a report from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

29 Mar 2017

New research shows how molecular motors are transported into cilia

Molecular motors produce the force that powers the beat of sperm cell tails to generate movement toward the egg cell for fertilization.

27 Mar 2017

Astrocytes prove to be surprisingly vital players in the body's clock

Until recently, work on biological clocks that dictate daily fluctuations in most body functions, including core body temperature and alertness, focused on neurons, those electrically excitable cells that are the divas of the central nervous system.

25 Mar 2017

UVA researchers discover unexpected interaction between men's testes and immune system

The University of Virginia School of Medicine has again shown that a part of the body thought to be disconnected from the immune system actually interacts with it, and that discovery helps explain cases of male infertility, certain autoimmune diseases and even the failure of cancer vaccines.

25 Mar 2017

Researchers develop mathematical formula to predict how large numbers of sperm swim

Researchers have developed a mathematical formula based on the rhythmic movement of a sperm's head and tail, which significantly reduces the complexities of understanding and predicting how sperm make the difficult journey towards fertilising an egg.

20 Mar 2017

Healthy diets linked to better sperm quality and male fecundability

Nowadays, in order to improve sperm quality and fertility changes, many fertility clinics recommend simple lifestyle changes such as increased physical activity, cognitive behavioural therapy or yoga to reduce stress, give advice on how to reduce alcohol and caffeine intake and provide lists of dietary recommendations.

13 Mar 2017

Walnut-enriched diet may improve sperm quality, animal research suggests

New animal research suggests eating a walnut-enriched diet may improve sperm quality by reducing lipid peroxidation, a process that can damage sperm cells.

28 Feb 2017

Scientists unravel mechanism of rare, early phenomenon that can affect human development

The genetic material of an organism encodes the instructions that guide its development. These codes are not written in stone; they can change or mutate any time during the life of the organism.

24 Feb 2017

Sperm-egg fusion proteins are homologous to those used by Zika and Dengue viruses, research shows

The protein that helps the sperm and egg fuse together in sexual reproduction can also fuse regular cells together.

15 Feb 2017

Sunburn and mosquito bites may ruin spring vacation in tropical locales

If the last blast of winter has you longing for sun-soaked beaches in tropical locales, be sure to stop at the drug store for sunscreen and insect repellant before leaving for spring vacation.

13 Feb 2017

Male contraceptive proves effective at preventing pregnancy amongst monkeys

Treating male monkeys with the contraceptive Vasalgel has proved effective at preventing conception amongst rhesus monkeys, reports the California National Primate Research Center. The report is based on findings from a study that involved sixteen rhesus monkeys that were treated with the contraceptive...

9 Feb 2017

Researchers reveal central role of new key players in meiosis

Where would we be without meiosis and recombination? For a start, none of us sexually reproducing organisms would be here, because that's how sperm and eggs are made. And when meiosis doesn't work properly, it can lead to infertility, miscarriage, birth defects and developmental disorders.

24 Jan 2017

Study identifies conserved role for Ovo protein in controlling germline development in mice and fruit flies

Germline cells are the only cells that develop into eggs or sperm, while somatic cells develop into the body. Progenitors of the germline, known as primordial germ cells (PGCs), differentiate into eggs or sperm after embryonic development.

24 Jan 2017

BetterYou magnesium can raise cellular mineral levels faster than traditional tablets

Low magnesium levels are leading to a worrying level of undissolved calcium and increased heavy metal toxicity which can severely impact on our health and wellbeing, say mineral analysis experts.

From BetterYou Ltd 18 Jan 2017

Harvard scientists discuss promise and peril of emerging IVG technique

In vitro fertilization has transformed reproductive medicine and sparked a number of therapeutic and diagnostic breakthroughs.

12 Jan 2017

Researchers examine extent and severity of genitourinary injuries among U.S. service members

Because battlefield medical care has improved throughout the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, many more U.S. servicemen have survived what could have been fatal injuries in the past.

10 Jan 2017

Parental obesity may increase children's risk for developmental delays, NIH study suggests

Children of obese parents may be at risk for developmental delays, according to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

2 Jan 2017

New active pharmaceutical ingredient may help against severe forms of testicular cancer

A new active pharmaceutical ingredient may help against severe forms of testicular cancer, which only respond inadequately to other therapies.

30 Dec 2016

Myc genes play key role in self-renewal of spermatogonial stem cells

Sperm are constantly replenished in the adult male body. Understanding the workings of stem cells responsible for this replenishment is expected to shed light on why male fertility diminishes with age, and possibly lead to new treatments for infertility.

28 Dec 2016