Fertility
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In what might be a surprise for some, the male sex chromosome is far more complex than its female counterpart. This is why it’s taken scientists so long to work out exactly what makes a male a male. Now, they've completed the elusive Y chromosome map.
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Scientists have created models of human embryos by programming stem cells. The models give a glimpse into a key stage of development that can reveal new insights into genetic disorders and preventing failure in early pregnancy.
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Australian researchers have developed an AI algorithm called SpermSearch that can accurately identify sperm in severely infertile men in a fraction of the time it takes scientists, providing hope to men who want to father biological children.
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If a couple is having difficulty conceiving a child due to low-quality sperm, in-vitro fertilization is always an option … although it frequently isn't successful. A simple new device could help, by selecting only the best sperm to do the job.
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Swimmers who wore Speedo’s controversial LZR Racer suit at the 2008 Beijing Olympics broke 23 world records, proving that being more streamlined has advantages. A new study out of Japan has shown that the same theory applies to sperm.
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There's no such thing as a biological clock for female mole-rat queens, which don’t experience a drop in fertility as they age. Now new discoveries about their remarkable reproduction may help prolong or boost human fertility.
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Male contraceptives have traditionally been limited to condoms and vasectomies. Now scientists have demonstrated a promising new method that takes the form of a pill that can be taken just before sex, greatly reducing fertility for 24 hours.
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The EctoLife Artificial Womb Facility envisages a controversial new way to be pregnant, with the baby growing in an idealized, but completely inhuman environment: transparent "growth pods" arranged by their hundreds in human baby farming operations.
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A striking study published in 2017 reported a 50% decline in the average sperm count since the 1970s. Now, a follow-up study is suggesting the decline in sperm counts is accelerating. But not all researchers are convinced the data is as clear as it seems.
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As many couples trying to conceive know, much can go wrong during that fateful meeting of sperm and egg. Now scientists have identified a new protein eggs use to draw in sperm, which could one day lead to new fertility treatments and contraceptives.
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When performing artificial insemination, the better the motility of the sperm, the greater the chances of a successful pregnancy. That's where a new microfluidic chip comes in, as it selects only the most vigorous, "highly-motivated" sperm from the herd.
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New research has identified a motor protein deficient in humans that could improve the success rates of fertility treatments by helping manage the number of chromosomes remaining in a human egg during cell division.
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