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Gene affects sperm’s swimming ability

A gene known to affect hormone action in breast and prostate cancer cells, has been proven to have an effect on male fertility as well.

University of Western Australia researchers found that mice without the SLIRP gene had one third fewer offspring than normal mice, and produced significantly fewer sperm that could be deemed “good swimmers”.

The research could help couples struggling with infertility, which affects approximately one in eight couples globally. In half of these cases, the cause is attributable to the male.

Read more at The University of Western Australia

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