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.

More informed choices of contraceptives can prevent breast cancer

Hormonal contraceptives, e.g. the pill, the patch, and the vaginal ring, contain synthetic hormones that prevent pregnancy by either stopping ovulation, changing the cervical mucus to stop sperm from passing through the cervix and finding an egg, or changing the womb's lining to prevent a fertilized egg from being implanted in it.

31 May 2021

Three-dimensional organization of genome is extremely dynamic during gamete formation

Inside the nuclei of cells, the genome is tightly organized (packaged). This three-dimensional (3D) genome organization is basic because it controls gene expression.

21 May 2021

New way to study uterine fluid in the lab could avoid invasive procedures during pregnancy

The quest to create safer, more successful pregnancies is one of the top goals of modern science. While pregnancy is better understood today than ever before, with improvements in technology helping to lower the risk of negative outcomes, there is much researchers still don't know about a vital part of the pregnancy process: uterine fluid.

13 May 2021

Exploring the Genetic effects of Chernobyl Radiation

In this interview, AZoLifeSciences speaks to researchers from the National Cancer Institute about their latest research that investigated the genetic effects of Chernobyl radiation.

13 May 2021

Cutting-edge genomic tools used to investigate health effects of Chernobyl radiation exposure

In two landmark studies, researchers have used cutting-edge genomic tools to investigate the potential health effects of exposure to ionizing radiation, a known carcinogen, from the 1986 accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in northern Ukraine.

23 Apr 2021

Study reveals mechanism that regulates genes on sex chromosomes

In the human population, males have one X and one Y chromosomes and females have two X chromosomes. As a result, somatic cells have unique mechanisms that maintain the same gene expression levels on the X chromosome between both genders.

10 Mar 2021

Natural compound acts as reversible male contraceptive pill

Researchers have developed a novel approach that has resulted in the discovery of a natural compound that acts as a male contraceptive agent.

5 Mar 2021

Study uncovers unusual sex chromosomes of Australian iconic animals

The sex chromosomes genetically define the developmental fate of an embryo to become a male or a female individual, and usually, appear as one pair of morphologically different chromosomes between sexes.

8 Jan 2021

Altered sugar composition impacts cell-to-surface adhesion

Biotechnologists measure the forces with which algae cells adhere to surfaces and move on them. How can cells adhere to surfaces and move on them? This is a question that was investigated by an international team of researchers headed by Prof. Michael Hippler from the University of Münster and Prof. Kaiyao Huang from the Institute of Hydrobiology (Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China).

4 Jan 2021

Imperfect egg cells more common than originally thought

AZoLifeSciences speaks to Dr. Terry Hasssold about his latest research into oocytes and how imperfect egg cells are more common than scientists initially thought.

16 Dec 2020

Glyphosate could be used as biomarkers to predict incurring diseases in future generations

Exposure to the widely used weed-killer glyphosate makes genetic changes to rats that can be linked to increased disease in their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a new study has found.

10 Dec 2020

Researchers identify key target that allows cancer cells to spread more efficiently

Cancer cells spread by switching on and off abilities to sense their surroundings, move, hide and grow new tumours, a new study has found.

2 Dec 2020

Study confirms that telomere shortening helps prevent cancer in humans

As time goes by, the tips of your chromosomes--called telomeres--become shorter. This process has long been viewed as an unwanted side-effect of aging, but a recent study shows it is in fact good for you.

2 Dec 2020

New molecular imaging strategy helps observe the sperm selection process

A protein called CatSper1 may act as a molecular 'barcode' that helps determine which sperm cells will make it to an egg and which are eliminated along the way.

2 Dec 2020

Could there be harmful chemicals in your household dust?

In this interview, AZoLifeSciences spoke to Dr. Atanu Sarkar to find out what potentially harmful chemicals could be lurking in your home.

27 Nov 2020

Somatic mutation acts as natural gene therapy in patients with GATA2 deficiency

Researchers affiliated with the Center for Cell-Based Therapy (CTC) in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, have identified for the first time a non-hereditary mutation in blood cells from a patient with GATA2 deficiency, a rare autosomal disease caused by inherited mutations in the gene that encodes GATA-binding protein 2 (GATA2).

18 Nov 2020