ADD ANI AS A TRUSTED SOURCE
googleads
ANI Logo
Menu
Health

Male infertility related to gene composition 

Washington D.C. [USA], Jan 24 (ANI): In a recent study, Scientist tried to explain the importance of a gene in regulating the production of fully-functioning sperm.

ANI Jan 24, 2019 11:33 IST googleads

Representative image

Washington D.C. [USA], Jan 24 (ANI): A recent study saw scientists trying to explain the importance of a gene in regulating the production of fully-functioning sperm.
For the first time, experts have identified the role of the gene, RBMXL2, which is very similar to a possible infertility gene found on the Y chromosome found only in men. This provided a model for the team to manipulate as the Y chromosome itself is very difficult to analyse.
The study, published today in the Journal of eLife, sheds light on why some men may be infertile as RBMXL2 has been shown to be essential to make sperm.
Scientists found that deleting the RBMXL2 gene from chromosome 11 blocked sperm production and this paves the way for further exciting research in this area.
"Male infertility is a poorly understood topic, and this study helps us to understand why some men might become infertile. This is important since many couples suffer from infertility and it can cause psychological stress, and also have economic consequences in some countries as it can affect care in later life," said David Elliott, lead author of the study.
Making sperm and eggs, and then eventually the next generation depends upon a special kind of cell division known as meiosis.
Meiosis is a hotspot for gene expression and sperm development, which involves copying long stretches of DNA into RNA.
Without the important RBMXL2 gene, other genes are not expressed properly - they still make RNA, but this process does not replicate accurately, leading to mistakes which eventually block the production of sperm.
The research found that the block occurred while the cells were dividing in the testes to make sperm, under the process of meiosis. This block meant that none of the cells developed into sperm cells able to swim and fertilise eggs.
"Male infertility is far more prevalent than usually recognised: the most common reason for a couple to seek fertility treatment, such as IVF, is because of male fertility reasons,” said Aileen Feeney, one of the lead researchers of the study.  (ANI)

Get the App

What to Read Next

Health

Memory loss can suddenly speed up with age: Study

Memory loss can suddenly speed up with age: Study

A massive international brain study has revealed that memory decline with age isn't driven by a single brain region or gene, but by widespread structural changes across the brain that build up over time.

Read More
Health

Hypertension affects brain much earlier than expected: Study

Hypertension affects brain much earlier than expected: Study

Hypertension may impair the brain far earlier than previously understood -- even before a measurable rise in blood pressure occurs -- according to a new preclinical study from Weill Cornell Medicine. The changes help explain why hypertension is a major risk factor for developing cognitive disorders, such as vascular cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

Read More
Health

Gene editing offers solution to saving endangered species

Gene editing offers solution to saving endangered species

Gene editing technologies, such as those used in agriculture and de-extinction efforts, can be repurposed to provide what an international team of scientists describes as a breakthrough approach for restoring genetic variety and rescuing endangered species.

Read More
Health

Genes called 'Introners' proves to be source of gene complexity

Genes called 'Introners' proves to be source of gene complexity

It also provides evidence of eight instances in which introners have transferred between unrelated species in a process called 'horizontal gene transfer,' the first proven examples of this phenomenon.

Read More
Health

AI-designed DNA controls genes in healthy mammalian cells

AI-designed DNA controls genes in healthy mammalian cells

A recent study marks the first reported instance of generative AI designing synthetic molecules that can successfully control gene expression in healthy mammalian cells.

Read More
Health

Parasitic infection tied to cancer-linked gene activity in cervix

Parasitic infection tied to cancer-linked gene activity in cervix

A newly presented study has uncovered troubling molecular changes in the cervix associated with a common parasitic infection, Schistosoma haematobium, and its standard treatment.

Read More
Health

Fibre in diet may boost the body against infections: Study 

Fibre in diet may boost the body against infections: Study 

A new study has found that the composition of the gut microbiome helps in predicting how likely a person will succumb to potentially life-threatening infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae, E.coli and other bugs -- and it may be altered by changing your diet.

Read More
Health

Cancer risk linked to p53 in ulcerative colitis: Study

Cancer risk linked to p53 in ulcerative colitis: Study

Researchers in Michael Sigal's lab at the Max Delbruck Center and Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin have discovered the significance of the p53 gene in ulcerative colitis. The work, published in Science Advances, proposes a potential new therapeutic target for preventing illness progression to cancer.

Read More
Health

Study finds new gene in progression of Huntington’s disease

Study finds new gene in progression of Huntington’s disease

A novel gene has been linked by researchers in Berlin and Dusseldorf to the development of Huntington's disease in a brain organoid model. Earlier than previously believed, the gene may play a role in brain disorders.

Read More
Health

Study identifies thousands of high-risk cancer gene variants

Study identifies thousands of high-risk cancer gene variants

Scientists have uncovered over 5,000 genetic variations that allow some malignancies to grow, as well as a possible therapeutic target for treating or even preventing these cancers from arising.

Read More
Home About Us Our Products Advertise Contact Us Terms & Condition Privacy Policy

Copyright © aninews.in | All Rights Reserved.