Posts Tagged ‘sperm’

British scientists at Newcastle University claim this week that they have created human sperm from embryonic stem cells. Stem cells can develop into any type of human cell, but this is the first time they have been coaxed into forming sperm. Critics say the “artificial” sperm do not have the same exact shape, movement and function of real sperm. Despite this, progress has certainly been made towards creating sperm in the laboratory. This research could eventually help infertile men father children with sperm created from their own stem cells. Read more and watch a video of the sperm making process as voiced by the lead researcher, Professor Karim Nayernia.

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Scientists are debunking the belief that sperm with longer tails (and therefore are capable of producing more propulsion activity) are evolutionarily favored. New thinking suggests that because sperm are so small and relatively slow moving, they operate on very different hydrodynamic terms than we do at human size. Researchers say that it’s not only the size of the tail that matters, but also the size of the sperm’s head, which can produce a significant amount of drag that can slow them down. Therefore, just because a sperm has a large tail does not mean it can swim faster.

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A study of the antidepressant Paxil by researchers at Cornell Medical Center show that the drug increases the number of sperm with damaged DNA. Sperm with DNA damage are found in any sperm sample. However, in men who took Paxil for 4 weeks, it was found that almost one-third of their sperm had damage to the DNA. However, the question is whether this has any affect on overall fertility, and whether the remaining healthy sperm would be enough to produce a viable embryo. Since this is a small study, larger studies are needed to answer these questions. Researchers say that individuals who are taking this drug should consult with their doctors if they are concerned about infertility. Full story.

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