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.

Too many genetic exchanges impede chromosome segregation into eggs

The exchange of DNA between chromosomes during the early formation of sperm and egg cells normally is limited to assure fertility.

9 Oct 2020

Study confirms genetic link in cerebral palsy

A research team has found further evidence that rare gene mutations can cause cerebral palsy, findings which could lead to earlier diagnosis.

8 Oct 2020

Researchers reconstruct the birth of a male sex chromosome in Atlantic herring

The evolution of sex chromosomes is of crucial importance in biology as it stabilises the mechanism underlying sex determination and usually results in an equal sex ratio.

10 Sep 2020

Female reproductive tract capable of mediating post-mating sexual selection

The female reproductive tract has the final say in human mate choice, according to new research from the University of Eastern Finland.

20 Aug 2020

New study reveals surprising features in coral sperm and eggs

When stony corals have their renowned mass spawning events, in sync with the moon's cycle, colonies simultaneously release an underwater "cloud" of sperm and eggs for fertilization.

From Rutgers University 19 Aug 2020

'Survival of the fittest': How meiotic drivers shape the evolution of gamete formation

It can be hard to dispute the common adage 'survival of the fittest'. After all, "most of the genes in the genome are there because they're doing something good," says Sarah Zanders, PhD, assistant investigator at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research

18 Aug 2020

State-of-the-art 3D microscopy reveals how human sperms swim

Using state-of-the-art 3D microscopy and mathematics, Dr Hermes Gadêlha from the University of Bristol, Dr Gabriel Corkidi and Dr Alberto Darszon from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, have reconstructed the movement of the sperm tail in 3D with high-precision.

14 Aug 2020

New theory shows why Y chromosome may be more resilient than previously believed

The Y chromosome, which is relatively smaller than its counterpart, the X chromosome, has significantly reduced in size across 200 million years of evolution.

7 Aug 2020

Scientists explore the role of epigenetic regulator factors in embryonic development

A research team at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin has explored the role of factors in embryonic development that do not alter the sequence of DNA, but only epigenetically modify its "packaging".

5 Aug 2020

A fast and less expensive technique to count sperm in lobsters

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have identified a quicker and less expensive way to count sperm in lobsters that could help scientists looking at any animal better understand mating, a key aspect of species survival.

20 Jul 2020

Retinoic acid is the key to produce healthy offspring from testicular tissue transplantation

One in fifty births in Japan are said to be through in vitro fertilization, and many couples remain unable to conceive for reasons unknown. Infertility is also an undesired side-effect of lifesaving cancer treatment in childhood.

17 Jul 2020

Combination of ExM and SIM helps observe 3D ultrastructure of synaptonemal complex

The development of egg and sperm cells in all mammals, including humans, is significantly contributed by the synaptonemal complex—a ladder-like cell structure.

6 Jul 2020

RDP1 gene regulates the production of pollen grains

An international study has discovered a gene in the plant model Arabidopsis that reduces the number of pollen grains.

9 Jun 2020

C19ORF57 gene could advance reproductive medicine

The gene C19ORF57 has been identified to play a major role in meiosis by the Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics at Kumamoto University.

5 Jun 2020

New insights into recombination of sex chromosomes during meiosis

As chromosomes go, X and Y make an unlikely pair. The X is large and contains thousands of genes critical for life.

29 May 2020

Nanodevices give unprecedented peek into how cells change with time

For the first time, scientists have introduced minuscule tracking devices directly into the interior of mammalian cells, giving an unprecedented peek into the processes that govern the beginning of development.

From University of Bath 27 May 2020

New 3D imaging method can identify sperm cells moving at a high speed

Tel Aviv University researchers have developed a safe and accurate 3D imaging method to identify sperm cells moving at a high speed.

12 May 2020

Researchers discover new therapeutic targets for cancer, male infertility

Researchers analyzed 13,000 tumors, highlighting two formerly overlooked genes as promising new therapeutic targets for treating cancer.

7 May 2020

How Small Chromosomes Compete With Big Ones For A Cell's Attention

From avocado plants to yeast, sexually reproducing organisms must create germ cells that contain half the number of chromosomes found in a typical body cell.

7 May 2020

Father's Toxoplasma infection may be transmitted to subsequent generations

Australian researchers have revealed for the first time that males infected with the Toxoplasma parasite can impact their offspring's brain health and behavior.

28 Apr 2020