For a mammal's sperm to succeed, it must complete the swim of its life to reach and fertilize an egg. That's easier if it swims through water.
It turns out that both the male and female have a role in making that happen.
Try These Fertility Apps If You are Planning Your Family
Infertility is an alarming issue among young couples. Here's a quick preview of some of the popular fertility apps from across the world.
Advertisement
‘The uterus in female mice contains enzymes that can break down semen, making it less gel-like, more watery, and therefore easier to swim in.’
Tweet it Now
A Washington State University researcher has found that the uterus in female mice contains enzymes that can break down semen, making it less gel-like, more watery, and therefore easier to swim in. Scientists have previously thought semen is broken down by enzymes from the prostate gland.
But writing this week in the journal PLOS Genetics, Wipawee Winuthayanon, an assistant professor in WSU's School of Molecular Biosciences, reports that female mice also produce the enzyme, using estrogen to induce the process. They also saw that when a female mouse lacked a gene to make this happen, semen failed to liquefy in its uterus.
![Depression Could Be One Of The Reasons For Infertility]( "Depression Could Be One Of The Reasons For Infertility")
Depression is one of the most common disorders in the world and is found that it is one of the reasons for infertility in couples.
"Our studies provide the first evidence of how the interplay between semen and the female reproductive tract could impact fertility," the researchers write.
The study highlights an underappreciated complication in the physical changes that semen undergoes and the relative roles of secretions in both the male and female reproductive tracts.
"This information will advance research on semen liquefaction in the female reproductive tract, an area that has never been explored," said the researchers, "and could lead to the development of diagnostic tools for unexplained infertility cases and non-invasive contraception technologies."
Winuthayanon's colleagues on the study are post-doctoral research associate Shuai Li, honors student Marleny Garcia and research assistant Rachel L. Gewiss.
Source: Eurekalert
Depression Could Be One Of The Reasons For Infertility
Depression is one of the most common disorders in the world and is found that it is one of the reasons for infertility in couples.
Advertisement
"Our studies provide the first evidence of how the interplay between semen and the female reproductive tract could impact fertility," the researchers write.
The study highlights an underappreciated complication in the physical changes that semen undergoes and the relative roles of secretions in both the male and female reproductive tracts.
"This information will advance research on semen liquefaction in the female reproductive tract, an area that has never been explored," said the researchers, "and could lead to the development of diagnostic tools for unexplained infertility cases and non-invasive contraception technologies."
Winuthayanon's colleagues on the study are post-doctoral research associate Shuai Li, honors student Marleny Garcia and research assistant Rachel L. Gewiss.
Source: Eurekalert
Chemicals in Cosmetics May Cause Infertility
Exposure to cosmetic chemicals puts women at a higher risk of miscarriage and the baby at risk for physical and mental birth defects.
Advertisement
Preserving Sperm Stem Cells - New Technique to Prevent Infertility in Boys With CancerA new technique to preserve the sperm stem cells could be promising in maintaining the fertility of boys who undergo cancer treatment, reveals study. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Women Health News
Does embryo growth affect miscarriage chances in pregnancies? Yes, embryonic development is delayed in pregnancies ending in a miscarriage compared to ongoing pregnancies.
Don't let a full heart fool you - it's essential to be aware of your age and the challenges it presents in life as per a new study.
In 90% of women with female genital tuberculosis condition, the fallopian tubes are affected. In around 70% uterine endometrium is affected.
Women involved in motor vehicle crashes during pregnancy were at increased risk of various adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially while riding scooters.
Are shift works bad for women's health? Yes, Women who are working rotating shifts are more likely to be frail.