Navigation Links
USC researchers explore genetic causes for male infertility
Date:12/12/2007

LOS ANGELES, December 11, 2007 - Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) suggest epigenetics, or the way DNA is processed and expressed, may be the underlying cause for male infertility. The study will be published in the Dec. 12 issue of Public Library of Science One.

This is the first report based on our knowledge that a broad epigenetic defect is associated with abnormal semen development, says Rebecca Sokol, M.D., MPH, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. From our data, it is plausible to speculate that male infertility may be added to the growing list of adulthood diseases that have resulted from fetal origins.

In the United States, about 4 million married couples of child-bearing age are infertile and in approximately 40 percent of the cases, the infertile partner is the man. In most cases, the cause of the male infertility is not known. However, preliminary data suggest that genetics play a role in infertility. Changes in chromosomes and the genetic code have been well documented. Attention is now focused on epigenetic changes. Epigenetic change, which is defined as in addition to changes in genetic sequence, includes any process that alters gene activity without changing the DNA sequence. Some of these epigenetic changes are inherited from one generation to the next.

The researchers studied semen samples from male members of couples attending an infertility clinic. Using highly specialized molecular biology techniques, the researchers studied the epigenetic state of DNA from each mans sperm. They found that sperm DNA from men with low sperm counts or abnormal sperm had high levels of methylation, which is one of the ways the body regulates gene expression. However, DNA from normal sperm samples showed no abnormalities of methylation.

DNA methylation results from well known biochemical alterations that occur during epigenetic reprogramming, which is
'/>"/>

Contact: Jennifer Chan
chanj@usc.edu
323-442-3941
University of Southern California
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Researchers identify proteins involved in new neurodegenerative syndrome
2. Texas researchers and educators head for Antarctica
3. MGH researchers describe new way to identify, evolve novel enzymes
4. University of Pennsylvania researchers develop formula to gauge risk of disease clusters
5. U of MN researchers discover noninvasive diagnostic tool for brain diseases
6. U of Minnesota researchers discover noninvasive diagnostic tool for brain diseases
7. Researchers discover new strategies for antibiotic resistance
8. Researchers find new taste in fruit flies: carbonated water
9. Binghamton University researchers investigate evolving malaria resistance
10. UIC researchers find promising new targets for antibiotics
11. Researchers develop simple method to create natural drug products
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Penn, Georgia collaboration awarded $14.6 million to expand pathogen database 2Penn, Georgia collaboration awarded $14.6 million to expand pathogen database 3Successful stem cell therapy for treatment of eye disease 2Breakthrough in monitoring tropical deforestation announced in Copenhagen 2Reportlinker Adds Pharmaceutical Outsourcing Opportunities Post Launch 3A Contract Manufacturing and Contract Sales and Marketing 3rd Edition Report 57993 1Reportlinker Adds Pharmaceutical Outsourcing Opportunities Post Launch 3A Contract Manufacturing and Contract Sales and Marketing 3rd Edition Report 57993 2Reportlinker Adds Pharmaceutical Outsourcing Opportunities Post Launch 3A Contract Manufacturing and Contract Sales and Marketing 3rd Edition Report 57993 3Reportlinker Adds Pharmaceutical Outsourcing Opportunities Post Launch 3A Contract Manufacturing and Contract Sales and Marketing 3rd Edition Report 57993 4Reportlinker Adds Pharmaceutical Outsourcing Opportunities Post Launch 3A Contract Manufacturing and Contract Sales and Marketing 3rd Edition Report 57993 5Reportlinker Adds Pharmaceutical Outsourcing Opportunities Post Launch 3A Contract Manufacturing and Contract Sales and Marketing 3rd Edition Report 57993 6Reportlinker Adds Pharmaceutical Outsourcing Opportunities Post Launch 3A Contract Manufacturing and Contract Sales and Marketing 3rd Edition Report 57993 7Reportlinker Adds Pharmaceutical Outsourcing Opportunities Post Launch 3A Contract Manufacturing and Contract Sales and Marketing 3rd Edition Report 57993 8Reportlinker Adds Pharmaceutical Outsourcing Opportunities Post Launch 3A Contract Manufacturing and Contract Sales and Marketing 3rd Edition Report 57993 9Reportlinker Adds Pharmaceutical Outsourcing Opportunities Post Launch 3A Contract Manufacturing and Contract Sales and Marketing 3rd Edition Report 57993 10Reportlinker Adds Pharmaceutical Outsourcing Opportunities Post Launch 3A Contract Manufacturing and Contract Sales and Marketing 3rd Edition Report 57993 11Reportlinker Adds Pharmaceutical Outsourcing Opportunities Post Launch 3A Contract Manufacturing and Contract Sales and Marketing 3rd Edition Report 57993 12Democratic Governors Urge Congress to Act on Health Insurance Reform 57988 1Democratic Governors Urge Congress to Act on Health Insurance Reform 57988 2EQ Energy Drink Experiencing Substantial Sales Increases in Mexico 57986 1EQ Energy Drink Experiencing Substantial Sales Increases in Mexico 57986 2EQ Energy Drink Experiencing Substantial Sales Increases in Mexico 57986 3