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.

First step in development of artificial human testicle

After more than 30 years of unsuccessful efforts by numerous investigators, researchers have now found a way to propagate primary human Sertoli cells in the laboratory. Derived from the testis, it has been difficult to maintain Sertoli cells, the "nurse" cells responsible for overseeing sperm production, outside of the human body.

26 Oct 2010

Examining genetic material of egg cells may inform about embryos health

Fertility procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) require a couple and the doctor to place the risky bet that the multiple eggs they choose to fertilize will produce an embryo that will thrive in the uterus. Researchers cannot biopsy eggs directly because that would destroy them, but a new discovery by professors at Brown University and Women & Infants Hospital could lead to new insights about how eggs develop and ultimately inform judgments about how the embryos they produce will fare. The idea is to examine the genetic material the egg cells discarded when they were first forming, to see which genes they were expressing.

26 Oct 2010

Cryo-Cell to launch new reproductive tissue service for cryopreserved embryos, oocyctes

Cryo-Cell International, Inc. one of the world's largest and most established family cord blood banks and global stem cell innovators, today announced plans at the annual meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) to launch Cryology RTS, a new reproductive tissue storage service for cryopreserved embryos, oocyctes and sperm.

25 Oct 2010

Research determine 3D structure of egg receptor molecule that binds sperm

Researchers at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have been able to describe the 3D structure of a complete egg receptor that binds sperm at the beginning of fertilization. The results, published in the journal Cell, will lead to better understanding of infertility and may enable entirely new types of contraceptives.

22 Oct 2010

Researchers suggest 'watch and wait' strategy for girls with germ-cell ovarian tumors

Researchers from Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center (DF/CHCC) have found that as many as 50 percent of young girls treated for germ-cell ovarian tumors might safely be spared chemotherapy using a "watch and wait" strategy to determine if the follow-up treatment is needed.

21 Oct 2010

Scientists identify root cause of chromosomal errors and gene diversity

A team led by a scientist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has discovered a regulatory protein that influences where genetic material gets swapped between maternal and paternal chromosomes during the process of creating eggs and sperm. The findings, which shed light on the roots of chromosomal errors and gene diversity, appear in tomorrow's issue of Nature.

14 Oct 2010

Laptop health risks

Doctors warn that balancing the laptop on the knees can cause severe damage to the skin that includes skin discoloration or even cancer.

6 Oct 2010

FDA grants Type B meeting to review Phase III pivotal efficacy protocols for Androxal

Repros Therapeutics Inc. today announced that the Company has been granted a Type B meeting to be held on November 8, 2010 with the Division of Reproductive and Urologic Products to review the Company's Phase III pivotal efficacy protocols for Androxal in the treatment of secondary hypogonadism. Androxal is an oral drug that normalizes both testosterone and sperm levels.

30 Sep 2010

Some IVF techniques leading to more bundles in blue: Study

According to a new study by Australian researchers some infertility treatments may influence the sex of a baby to such an extent that increased uptake could upset the gender balance later. The study shows that a type of IVF treatment increases the chance of having a boy to as much as 56.1 per cent, while another treatment cuts it to 48.7 per cent.

29 Sep 2010

Genomic imprinting can influence carrier's selfish or altruistic behavior

If you are more inclined to love thyself than thy neighbor, it could be your mother's fault. Those are the findings of Francisco -beda, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.-beda, along with fellow evolutionary biologist Andy Gardner from Oxford University, examined the impact that genomic imprinting has on the carrier's selfish or altruistic behavior.

23 Sep 2010

New sperm freezing technique may be a boon for IVF

A new improved method of freezing and storing sperm for future use in infertility treatment has arrived as a boon for couples wanting babies.

16 Sep 2010

Success of assisted reproduction procedures linked to season

The success of an assisted reproduction procedure may depend on the season. This is the finding of new work presented at the World Congress of Fertility and Sterility, in Munich, Germany.

14 Sep 2010

Less-invasive alternative to vasectomy

Pro-Vas® – the new faster, less-invasive alternative to traditional vasectomy – was featured Thursday in millions of homes and doctors' offices across the nation on "The Doctors" TV show. This nationally syndicated show highlights significant advancements in the world of health and medicine.

13 Sep 2010

Researchers discover mechanism that prevents stem cell from becoming another cell type

Johns Hopkins researchers have determined why certain stem cells are able to stay stem cells.The report in the June 4 issue of Cell Stem Cell reveals that an enzyme that changes the way DNA is packaged in cells allows specific genes to be turned on and off, thereby preventing a stem cell from becoming another cell type.

10 Sep 2010

Study suggests PTSD symptoms common in Second Generation population

In groups with high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as the survivors of the Nazi Death Camps, the adjustment problems of their children, the so called "Second Generation", have received attention by researchers. Studies suggested that some symptoms or personality traits associated with PTSD may be more common in the Second Generation than the general population.

9 Sep 2010

Further evidence on adverse effects of smoking on fertility

Two new studies have shed more light on how smoking may damage fertility, and give further weight to advice that mothers and fathers-to-be should stop smoking before attempting to conceive. The research is published online in the reproductive medicine journal Human Reproduction today (Wednesday 8 September).

8 Sep 2010

Ovatech completes Phase 2 study of Ovaprene non-hormonal, intravaginal contraceptive ring

Ovatech, an emerging women's health-focused company, announced today that the Company's Phase 2 clinical study of its non-hormonal, intravaginal contraceptive ring, Ovaprene, has been successfully completed. Ovaprene is a 'one-size-fits-all' patented, female-controlled, intravaginal organic silicone ring barrier-contraceptive that is designed to continuously release spermiostatic and spermicidal non-drug agents over a four-week period.

2 Sep 2010

Natural selection theory can explain evolution of eusocial behavior: Study

Scientists at Harvard University have sketched a new map of the "evolutionary labyrinth" species must traverse to reach eusociality, the rare but spectacularly successful social structure where individuals cooperate to raise offspring.

27 Aug 2010

Researchers identify molecular signals that impact male fertility: Research

Male infertility is a common medical problem, affecting millions of men in the United States annually. Its causes include an inability to make productive sperm. Now, using yeast as a model organism, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine are beginning to identify the molecular signals that could in part underlie that problem.

25 Aug 2010

Researchers discover unusual property of meiosis may lead to Down syndrome

In a study of egg cells using time-lapse microscopy, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research have discovered an unusual property of meiosis - cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms.

23 Aug 2010