Professor Tony Lai and a research team at the University of Wales, Cardiff have been able to isolate a 'sperm factor' gene that could have implications for the treatment of infertility in males. The gene makes a protein called PLC-zeta, which causes an increased level of calcium in the egg during fertilization. When a sperm penetrates the egg, the increased calcium level causes the cells to begin to divide and to go on to develop into an embryo.
Scientists believe that this research may have implications for treatment of male infertility, the development of new contraceptives and cloning and stem cell research.
'What Makes Sperm Do It's Job?' Bionews@lists.progress.org.uk (Issue 167, week 15/07/02-21/07/02)
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14-Apr-03 What Makes Sperm Do Its Job?
