Showing 20 articles starting at article 1
Categories: Fertility
Published Discovery of an atypical heat shock factor, HSF5, involved in meiotic mechanisms: Implications for male infertility (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Researchers have identified a novel Heat Shock Factor (HSF), designated as HSF5, which plays a crucial role in the completion of meiosis and the activation of genes essential for sperm formation. This discovery provides valuable insights into underlying causes of spermatogenic failure, the major contributor to male infertility. Furthermore, unlike other typical Heat Shock Factors, which primarily regulate gene expression in response to stress, such as heat shock, HSF5 plays a specific role in male germ production during meiosis under non-stress conditions.
Published New consensus statement aims to improve endometriosis evaluation (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
A new expert consensus statement aims to improve endometriosis evaluation. Endometriosis is a common condition with substantial diagnostic delay, leading patients to experience pain, infertility, lost wages and interrupted relationships. The consensus provides recommendations for augmenting routine pelvic ultrasounds through additional maneuvers and imaging to improve diagnosis of deep endometriosis.
Published The surprising connection between male infertility and family cancer risk (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
A study suggests families with infertile male relatives may face elevated cancer risks. Tapping into genetic data, families could help personalize cancer risk assessments.
Published Researchers uncover protein interactions controlling fertility in female mice (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Researchers have shed light on the proteins controlling the development of ovaries in mice before and after birth. This could lead to a better understanding of how female infertility develops.
Published New discovery reveals how the egg controls sperm entry (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
After the egg has been fertilized by a sperm, the surrounding egg coat tightens, mechanically preventing the entry of additional sperm and the ensuing death of the embryo, a new study finds. The work also explains how mutations in egg coat proteins can cause female infertility and may eventually lead to new contraceptive methods.
Published Tsetse fly fertility damaged after just one heatwave, study finds (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
The fertility of both female and male tsetse flies is affected by a single burst of hot weather, researchers have found.
Published Research sheds light on new strategy to treat infertility (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
New research describes the science behind a promising technique to treat infertility by turning a skin cell into an egg that is capable of producing viable embryos. The technique could be used by women of advanced maternal age or for those who are unable to produce viable eggs due to previous treatment for cancer or other causes. It also raises the possibility of men in same-sex relationships having children who are genetically related to both parents.
Published How does a virus hijack insect sperm to control disease vectors and pests? (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
A widespread bacteria called Wolbachia and a virus that it carries can cause sterility in male insects by hijacking their sperm, preventing them from fertilizing eggs of females that do not have the same combination of bacteria and virus. A new study has uncovered how this microbial combination manipulates sperm, which could lead to refined techniques to control populations of agricultural pests and insects that carry diseases like Zika and dengue to humans.
Published Toward understanding sperm quality (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
A novel screening system enables researchers to investigate sperm cell development and health at the molecular level. The new approach promises breakthroughs in male contraception and infertility treatments.
Published Oocytes outsmart toxic proteins to preserve long-term female fertility (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
The accumulation of misfolded or damaged proteins in long-lived, non-dividing cells like neurons are linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. A study now finds that the build-up of these toxic proteins also influences oocyte quality and female fertility. The researchers discovered that mouse oocytes have specialized structures which roam the cytoplasm and act like a clean-up crew which capture and hold onto protein aggregates, rendering them harmless. Failure to degrade the toxic proteins led to the formation of defective eggs. 3 in 5 (60%) of mouse embryos that inherited the toxic proteins failed to complete the very earlies stages of development. The study presents a new frontier to explore the underlying mechanisms of poor oocyte quality, which is the leading cause of female infertility.
Published Scientists discover new target for reversible, non-hormonal male birth control (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Scientists discovered a new target for reversible, non-hormonal male birth control. The drug, an HDAC inhibitor, blocked sperm production and fertility in male mice without affecting libido or future reproduction.
Published What can bulls tell us about men? (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Researchers have found genes in the reproductive organs of bulls that influence fertility. The findings can be transferred to humans, as these genes are also present in men.
Published Male fertility gene discovery reveals path to success for sperm (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
The discovery of a pair of genes that work in perfect harmony to protect male fertility could provide new insights into some unexplained cases of the most severe form of infertility, research suggests.
Published Genetic cause of low birth weight among children conceived after fertility treatment (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
A medical researcher has identified a genetic cause for the increased risk of low birth weight in babies born following assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF.
Published How ovarian tissue freezing could prevent menopause -- possibly forever (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
A new paradigm around the biological processes of menopause is capturing the attention of scientists. The primary question: can menopause be delayed in healthy women, allowing them to extend their child-bearing years -- and perhaps even forestall some of the health risks and uncomfortable symptoms linked to plummeting estrogen levels?
Published Gene expression atlas captures where ovulation can go awry (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
An interdisciplinary collaboration used a cutting-edge form of RNA tagging to map the gene expression that occurs during follicle maturation and ovulation in mice.
Published Semen microbiome health may impact male fertility (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
A new study finds that a small group of microorganisms may be influencing sperm motility.
Published Surprise discovery: For most animals, sperm quality does not reduce with age (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
In humans, male fertility and sperm fitness decline with age, but scientists have made the surprising discovery that this pattern is not consistent in other animals. The team assessed the results of 379 studies which covered a wide range of animals, including mammals, insects, birds, and fish.
Published Aging mouse sperm affects MicroRNA, increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
Much is known about the added complication to pregnancy when it comes to the age of the mother, but recent studies show that the age of the father can also heighten the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. A team of researchers has explored the impacts of paternal aging on microRNAs, the molecules that play a crucial role in regulating gene expression.
Published Infertility: Sperm need a breakthrough for fertilization (via sciencedaily.com) Original source
A new study identifies the defective function of CatSper, an ion channel controlling calcium levels in sperm, as a common cause of seemingly unexplained male infertility. CatSper-deficient human sperm fail to fertilize the egg, because they cannot penetrate its protective vestments. Thus far, this sperm channelopathy has remained undetectable. Scientists have unravelled CatSper's role in infertility using a novel laboratory test that identifies affected men.