Close X
Monday, November 11, 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

    Food strikes obese women with learning impairment

    Food strikes obese women with learning impairment
    In what could result in specific behavioural interventions to treat obesity, researchers have found that obese women are better able to identify cues that predict monetary rewards than those that predict food rewards.

    Food strikes obese women with learning impairment

    Injection to control diabetes without side effects

    Injection to control diabetes without side effects
    Dealing with diabetes could soon be a lot easier as researchers have developed an injection that can restore blood sugar levels to normal for more than two days without any side effects.

    Injection to control diabetes without side effects

    'Include men in breast cancer trials'

    'Include men in breast cancer trials'
    Men may find it hard to report anything in their breast, even if it is a lump, but the fact is breast cancer is not exclusive to women and though the proportion is small, men too can have it.

    'Include men in breast cancer trials'

    Even 'third-hand' smoke kills

    Even 'third-hand' smoke kills
    Have you finally amended your habits and stopped smoking inside the house to protect your kids from exposure to second-hand smoke? That may not be good enough!

    Even 'third-hand' smoke kills

    Why women shy away from joining science stream

    Why women shy away from joining science stream
    In what could be one of the reasons why women shy away from joining science stream, a survey reveals that many young scientists have suffered sexual harassment or sexual assault while at work in the field.

    Why women shy away from joining science stream

    Shut smartphone, enjoy her smile at dinner

    Shut smartphone, enjoy her smile at dinner
    Did you miss something while continuously checking smartphone as your spouse waited for undivided attention at dinner? You may not have an answer but researchers have.

    Shut smartphone, enjoy her smile at dinner