Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Single gene mutation could lead to infertility

Darpan News Desk IANS, 09 Nov, 2014 10:20 AM
    Scientists have discovered that a single mutation in a gene could lead to infertility.
     
    Not through a disruption of the production of egg or sperm cells but rather by leading to abnormalities in the morphology of the sexual organs - making natural reproduction impossible.
     
    The beta-catenin gene codes a protein known to be deeply involved in a number of developmental and homeostatic processes. It is an essential protein, which has been shown in mice to be involved in the development and maintenance of most, if not all organs, throughout their lives.
     
    Normally, it is switched on at some points during development, but then is turned off when it is no longer appropriate.
     
    The team from the RIKEN BioResource Center (BRC) in Tsukuba, Japan, developed a mouse with a single mutation to the beta-catenin gene.
     
    They found the mice were not able to produce offspring through natural mating but were able to do so through in-vitro fertilisation, showing that the problem was caused by a structural problem rather than a problem with the eggs or sperm.
     
    "This research could help to deepen our understanding of infertility - a problem that troubles almost one in 10 couples today hoping to have a baby," said first study author Takuya Murata from RIKEN BRC.
     
    "This could lead to a path for the early detection and treatment based on the genetic diagnosis of the infertility," concluded Yoichi Gondo, who led the research group.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Bad sleep quality, not duration, triggers insomnia

    Bad sleep quality, not duration, triggers insomnia
    Sleep problems like insomnia being reported among the elderly are more likely because of bad sleep quality and not their duration....

    Bad sleep quality, not duration, triggers insomnia

    Men twice as likely as women to die after hip fracture

    Men twice as likely as women to die after hip fracture
    Men are the "weaker sex" in terms of death and disability caused by osteoporosis as their bone health is simply being ignored by the healthcare systems, shows a study....

    Men twice as likely as women to die after hip fracture

    Fried food before conceiving may cause gestational diabetes

    Fried food before conceiving may cause gestational diabetes
    Women who eat fried food regularly before conceiving are at increased risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy, says a new study....

    Fried food before conceiving may cause gestational diabetes

    How binge drinking harms the liver

    How binge drinking harms the liver
    An Indian-origin researcher has identified epigenetic protein changes caused by binge drinking, a discovery that could lead to treatment for...

    How binge drinking harms the liver

    Skin exposure may trigger early peanut allergy in kids

    Skin exposure may trigger early peanut allergy in kids
    Many children become allergic to peanuts even before they eat them and skin exposure may contribute to the early sensitisation, says a study....

    Skin exposure may trigger early peanut allergy in kids

    Do-it-yourself flu vaccine? Study shows it works

    Do-it-yourself flu vaccine? Study shows it works
    Do-it-yourself flu vaccine? It could happen. Military folks who squirted vaccine up their noses were as well-protected as others who got it from health workers, a study found.

    Do-it-yourself flu vaccine? Study shows it works