For the first time, experts have identified the role of gene, RBMXL2, which is very similar to a
possible infertility gene found on the Y
chromosome found only in men. This
provided a model for the team to manipulate as the Y chromosome itself is very
difficult to analyse.
The study, published in eLife, sheds light on why some men may be
infertile as RBMXL2 has been shown to be essential to make sperm.
Faulty gene process
Scientists found that deleting the RBMXL2 gene from chromosome 11
blocked sperm production and this paves the way for further exciting research
in this area.
Professor David Elliott, at the Institute of Genetic
Medicine, Newcastle University, led the 10-year international study, which
involved experts from America, Edinburgh and mainland Europe.
He said: "Male infertility is a
poorly understood topic, and this study helps us to understand why some men
might become infertile. This is important since many couples suffer from
infertility and it can cause psychological stress, and also have economic
consequences in some countries as it can affect care in later life."
Making sperm and eggs, and then eventually the next generation,
depends upon a special kind of cell division known as meiosis. Meiosis is a
hotspot for gene expression and sperm development, which involves copying long
stretches of DNA into RNA.
Without the important RBMXL2 gene, other genes are not expressed
properly—they still make RNA, but this process does not replicate accurately,
leading to mistakes which eventually block the production of sperm.
Important discovery
Scientists
used a mouse model for their study as these mammals, like humans, have an
RBMXL2 gene. Removing this single gene from mice prevented sperm from being
produced. Understanding how RBMXL2 enables sperm to be made, giving experts a
clue as to how the similar infertility genes on the Y chromosome work.
Research found that the block occurred while the cells were
dividing in the testes to make sperm, under the process of meiosis. This block
meant that none of the cells developed into sperm cells able to swim and
fertilise eggs. A technique known as RNA sequencing was used to monitor the
expression of millions of RNAs in adolescent mice.
Professor Elliott said: "The RBMXL2
gene was first discovered almost 20 years ago, but no one until now has known
what it does or why it is important. The gene is found in all mammals, and we
predict that similar problems found in mice will occur in infertile men, but we
need to test this in future research."
The study was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences
Research Council and Wellcome Trust.
Aileen Feeney, chief executive of national
patient fertility charity, Fertility Network, said: "Male
infertility is far more prevalent than usually recognised: the most common
reason for a couple to seek fertility treatment, such as IVF, is because of
male fertility reasons.
"Infertility also hits men hard: Fertility
Network's 2017 study looking at the impact of infertility on men revealed
struggling to become a father affected men's mental health, self-esteem,
relationships, sex life, masculinity, career and finances.
"Much more needs to be done to investigate the
causes of male factor infertility, that's why Fertility Network welcomes this
research from Newcastle University which, although in the very early stages,
offers hope for a greater understanding of male fertility in the future."
(Medical Xpress)
Do you want to be a non-oil products
exporter? You have to master the contemporary dynamics of non-oil export trade
and avoid getting defrauded by the foreign buyers of your exportable products?
Click on the link below: http://www.tectono-business.com/2016/02/contemporary-step-by-step-guide-to.html
Bring your
dented vehicles to GOF Autos Ltd for priming, panel beating, painting
(with Sikkens paint) and oven baking at rate of N70,000 for cars and
N80,000 for SUVs. For details, click: http://www.tectono-business.com/2017/06/gof-autos-limited-best-automobile.html
Be a Landlord in Lagos by acquiring plots and
hectares of land @ Royalty Homes Estates in Lekki, Agbara, Ikorodu and Mowe. Do
not wait to buy. Rather, buy and wait. For details, click: http://www.tectono-business.com/2019/06/be-landlord-in-lagos-by-acquiring-plots.html
Are you aware that with just N12,500
initial deposit, your children are not too young to own landed properties in
Lagos? For more information, click: http://www.tectono-business.com/2018/09/with-just-n12500-your-children-are-not.html
No comments:
Post a Comment