Sperm sprint secrets ´may lead to new contraception´
Posted: Fri 5th February, 2010 at 09:25
A mechanism which starts sperm swimming when they get near the egg could one day lead to new forms of male contraception, scientists have said.
Tiny pores on the sperm´s surface allow it to change its internal pH, which in turn starts its tail movements.
The University of California in San Francisco carried out the research and they said the study might also explain why marijuana makes men infertile.
A UK expert said it could have a big effect on men´s fertility.
Limited resources
Sperm do not start swimming from the moment of ejaculation - they have only limited resources, and to stand much chance of reaching the egg, need to delay their frantic dash until they are closer to the egg.
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It could lead us to either develop a novel contraceptive for men, or perhaps find a way to improve the sperm motility for men whose sperm don´t swim as well as they should Dr Allan Pacey, University of Sheffield |
Scientists have long known that a sperm´s level of activity is governed by internal pH - how acid or alkaline its contents are - but the method which alters this at the right moment has proved elusive.
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