Latest Germ cells Stories
U.S. geneticists say that for the first time ever they have successfully managed to induce human embryonic stem cells to transform into germ cells capable of producing egg and sperm cells "” a discovery that not only illuminates a previously ill-understood phase of human development but one that also carries practical potential for the treatment of infertility. Dr. Renee Riejo Pera of Stanford University in California explained that getting back to the earliest phases of human life and...
Advance provides potential tool to find causes of unexplained infertility, birth defectsResearchers funded in part by the National Institutes of Health have discovered how to transform human embryonic stem cells into germ cells, the embryonic cells that ultimately give rise to sperm and eggs. The advance will allow researchers to observe human germ cells"”previously inaccessible"”in laboratory dishes."This achievement opens a new window into what was only recently a hidden stage of...
Prototype Anonymous Donor Database In Development FAIRFAX, Va., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Four of America's leading donor sperm providers have formed a new, non-profit association, the Association of Gamete Donor Providers (AGDP). AGDP will help donor gamete providers to share information and services, enhance educational programs and promulgate policies and activities to benefit individuals and organizations involved in all aspects of building families with the help of donor...
GPx5, an antioxidant protein that protects immature spermatozoa once they have left the testicle, has been identified by the GReD Unit (1) (CNRS / INSERM / Universities de Clermont-Ferrand). This discovery by Joël Drevet and his team establishes a link between post-testicular oxidative stress and degradation of the DNA in male gametes. These findings, which presage a major clinical impact "“ particularly in the context of medically-assisted procreation (MAP) "“ have been...
Almost all organisms evolve from a single cell, a fertilized egg. In the first hours after fertilization, the fate of its future development is determined. It is dictated by the separation of cells that will become sperm and ovules - germ cells-, from the remaining cells, which will be responsible for forming the body "“organs and tissues -, and that comprise the somatic cell line. Scientists at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), headed by Jordi Casanova, research...
The vast improvement in cancer treatment and increased survival rates have created a challenge for young cancer patients, since the chemotherapy and radiation treatments that save lives often threaten fertility. Techniques to safeguard fertility, such as freezing eggs for later embryo development, have low odds of success, leaving patients with limited reproductive options.That is beginning to change, as researchers improve techniques, mature human eggs in the laboratory, and discover...
Cancer treatment has come a long way, leading to a multitude of therapy options and improved survival rates. These successes, however, have created a challenge for young cancer patients since chemotherapy and radiation treatments that often save lives threaten fertility. Techniques available to safeguard fertility, such as freezing eggs for later embryo development, have poor odds of success, leaving patients with very limited options for the future. But that is beginning to change as...
For the first time ever, British scientists announced on Wednesday they had created human sperm using embryonic stem cells, AFP reported.A new technique developed by researchers led by Professor Karim Nayernia at Newcastle University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) allows the creation of human sperm in the laboratory.While the researchers believe the discovery could eventually help men with fertility problems, other experts are not yet convinced that fully developed...
In the competition for a partner, males typically have to vie with each other "“ be it with a colorful plumage, a large set of antlers or a seductive courtship dance. The females of some species, however, copulate with several males, so that rivals even after mating are still not defeated. So their sperm become rivals. Because greater size can increase the chance of fertilization, in some species truly giant sperm cells have evolved "“ some grow to be even larger than the male that...
Hormones and chemicals resulting from happiness, depression and other mental states can affect a parent's eggs or sperm, researchers in Mexico suggest. Dr. Alberto Halabe Bucay of Research Center Halabe and Darwich in Mexico suggests brain chemicals like endorphins alter germ cells -- the eggs and sperm that produce the next generation -- but drugs like marijuana and heroin may also affect the patterns of genes active in these cells and thus the child's development. It is well known, of...
