Detection of sperm structure may contribute to infertility

New research finds that sperm structure can cause infertility, miscarriage and birth defects, this finding may lead to new methods of diagnosis and treatment.

Researchers at the University of Toledo found that male sperm provides two centrosomes during fertilization and although they have the same function, they are structured differently.The center is the source of billions of cells in the adult body contributed by the father.

This discovery was published in Nature Communications.

Sperm structure can cause infertility, miscarriage and birth defects.

Dr. Tomer Avidor-Reiss, professor of Toledo's Department of Biology, said: 'This study is very significant because abnormalities in the formation and function of atypical centenary can be the source of Unexplained infertility in couples without any treatment option for them. "These centrosomes may also have a role in early miscarriage and fetal development defects."

"The genetic inheritance in human fertilization is still mysterious , " the researchers said

Starting a life, fertilized egg cells, called zygote, need 2 centrosomes. In the past, it was thought that sperm provided a single center for eggs and then duplicated itself.

"Because the mother's egg does not provide the centrosomes, and her father's sperm only possesses a center, we want to know the location of the second center in the zygote," Avidor-Reiss said. "This center has previously been overlooked because it is completely different from the known center of the structure and protein composition."

Researchers found this center by special techniques and microscopes.

Besides human sperm, they studied the sperm of flies, beetles and cattle.