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 demonstrate how sperms defend their membranes from oxidation

A team of researchers compared lipid profiles of sperm to learn more about their vulnerability to harmful oxidation and antioxidant capacity in different species’ semen.

21 Mar 2022

New research explains Darwinian theory of gradual directional process of incremental changes

Abrupt shifts in the evolution of animals – short periods of time when an organism rapidly changes size or form – have long been a challenge for theorists including Darwin.

3 Mar 2022

UGA research determines when pollen comes of age

It cakes our cars in yellow powder every spring and taunts allergy sufferers for months on end, but pollen is more than just plant sperm.

From University of Georgia 23 Feb 2022

Researchers develop a method for preserving human primordial germ cell-like cells

Human primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the early precursors of the eggs (oocytes) and sperm that are necessary to keep humankind alive and reproducing.

11 Feb 2022

Epigenetic inheritance enhances mating in stressed out C. elegans

Sexual reproduction allows organisms to mix up their genes and develop new adaptations to survive a harsh and ever-changing environment.

8 Feb 2022

Developing Sperm Cells from Primate Stem Cells

We speak to Professor Charles Easley about his latest research into male infertility, and how sperm cells could be potentially developed from primate stem cells.

From University of Georgia 15 Dec 2021

Researchers come up with a novel technique to produce single-sex litters

Researchers from the Francis Crick Institute along with the University of Kent utilized gene-editing technology to produce male-only and female-only mice litter with 100% efficacy.

7 Dec 2021

Exposure to cannabis vapor reduces sperm counts and motility in two generations of mice

An intense but short-term exposure to cannabis vapor lowered sperm counts and slowed sperm movement, or motility, not only in the directly exposed male mice but also in their sons.

6 Dec 2021

New technique could dramatically speed up the breeding of new crops

Scientists are a step closer to breeding plants with genes from only one parent. New research led by plant biologists at the University of California, Davis, published Nov. 19 in Science Advances, shows the underlying mechanism behind eliminating half the genome and could make for easier and more rapid breeding of crop plants with desirable traits such as disease resistance.

From The University of California, Davis 22 Nov 2021

De Novo Mutations may Play a Role in Male Infertility

In this interview, we speak to Dr. Miguel J. Xavier about his latest research into male infertility and how de novo mutations may play a part.

From Newcastle University 19 Nov 2021

Scientists identify gene crucial to sperm cell production

Scientists at Cincinnati Children's appear to have flipped another piece in the underexplored puzzle of male infertility.

27 Oct 2021

Mice study shows how air pollution reduces sperm count by causing brain inflammation

Researchers have long known that air pollution can increase the risk of disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and fertility, but they did not know the exact mechanism for how it can lead to these health conditions.

26 Oct 2021

Functional sperm cells can be made in a dish using primate embryonic stem cells, study shows

With global rates of male infertility continuing to rise, a new study in spermatogonial stem cell research led by researchers at the University of Georgia provides hope for future clinical therapies.

From University of Georgia 20 Oct 2021

Genome editing tool used to render male mosquitoes infertile and slow disease spread

Mosquitos spread viruses that cause potentially deadly diseases such as Zika, dengue fever and yellow fever. New U.S. Army-funded research uses gene editing to render certain male mosquitoes infertile and slow the spread of these diseases.

24 Aug 2021

Researchers reveal how ubiquitous signaling molecule plays a critical role in male fertility

Mammalian sperm cannot fertilize an egg from the get-go. It's an ability acquired only after insemination, during passage through the female reproductive tract, and requires two consecutive, time-sensitive processes to provide sperm with the physical and biochemical traits necessary to complete their fundamental job.

From UC San Diego 20 Aug 2021

Study describes a new method for identifying sperm mutations that can cause disease in children

Throughout development, life and the processes of aging, all human cells accumulate mutations, resulting in what is called mosaicism, a condition in which different cells in the same person have different DNA sequences or genetic makeup.

16 Aug 2021

Researchers characterize a new membrane found within the pollen grain

The process of reproduction in flowering plants is well known for over 120 years. Yet, there exist many mysteries to uncover.

3 Aug 2021

New microscopy method to observe the movement of fast biological processes in 3D

Scientists have come up with a method that enables the use of multi-focal images to reconstruct the movement of fast biological processes in 3D.

29 Jul 2021

Prevalent protein in the blood plays a vital role in human fertilization, infection resistance

Albumin activates a proton channel which allows sperm to penetrate and fertilize an egg and white blood cells to secrete large amounts of inflammatory mediators.

23 Jun 2021

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