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Reproductive Biology

All articles tagged with #reproductive biology

science16 days ago

Mammals Cloned Across 58 Generations Collapse, Study Finds

A 20-year experiment cloning over 1,200 mice across 58 generations shows that deleterious genetic mutations accumulate in cloned lineages, with the 58th generation dying shortly after birth. Initial generations appeared healthy, but the line ultimately collapsed, confirming that mammalian cloning cannot sustain long-term viability and that sexual reproduction is essential for species survival; researchers call for advances in nuclear transfer techniques.

via Ground News|
#cloning#genetics#mullers-ratchet
Scientists Discover Genetic Mutation Behind Gorillas' Small Penises
science-and-health1 year ago

Scientists Discover Genetic Mutation Behind Gorillas' Small Penises

Scientists from the University of Buffalo have identified a genetic mutation responsible for the small penises of male gorillas, which measure just 1.1 inches on average. This adaptation is linked to their polygynous mating system, where the alpha male's physical dominance reduces sperm competition. The study also suggests that these genetic findings could help explain certain cases of male infertility in humans, as similar mutations were found in genes linked to reproductive function.

via Daily Mail|
#evolution#genetic-mutation#gorillas
"Reconsidering the Function of the Ovary Appendage: A Potential 'Tongue' of the Organ"
science-and-medicine2 years ago

"Reconsidering the Function of the Ovary Appendage: A Potential 'Tongue' of the Organ"

The rete ovarii, a structure long dismissed as functionless, may actually play a crucial role in regulating ovulation and potentially extending the female reproductive lifespan. Duke University researchers have found that this tiny ovarian appendage, present in various mammal species, contains proteins and anatomical features suggesting it contributes to hormone signaling and may act as a sensory appendage, akin to the ovary's 'tongue'. The researchers suspect it may sense changes in the ovary's environment and send signals for reproductive organs to respond accordingly, and they plan to further investigate its response to physiological signals.

via ScienceAlert|
#duke-university#mice#ovary
science2 years ago

"Sexual Selection and Genital Evolution in Fruit Flies"

A recent study by scientists from Durham University and Oxford Brookes University has shed light on the genetic mechanisms driving the rapid evolution of male external genitalia in fruit flies, revealing the influence of factors like female choice and reproductive requirements. The identification of a crucial gene involved in shaping male genitalia represents a significant breakthrough in understanding the complex relationship between genetics and sexual selection.

via Interesting Engineering|
#fruit-flies#genetics#genital-evolution
"Biologist Challenges Sexual Reproduction Norms: Creating Mice with Two Fathers"
science2 years ago

"Biologist Challenges Sexual Reproduction Norms: Creating Mice with Two Fathers"

Biologist Katsuhiko Hayashi and his team at Osaka University have successfully produced mouse pups from the cells of two male parents, a groundbreaking achievement in sexual reproduction. By converting cells from male mice into stem cells and manipulating them through a complex process, the team was able to create eggs and fertilize them, resulting in live pups. Hayashi's work has garnered praise for its originality and perseverance, and he is now looking to extend his techniques to save the endangered northern white rhinoceros. However, the application of these techniques in humans is still a distant possibility, and the ethical implications remain a subject for society to decide.

via Nature.com|
#genetic-engineering#germ-cells#mice
Unearthing Unexpected Dinosaur Eggs: A Game-Changer in Paleontology
science2 years ago

Unearthing Unexpected Dinosaur Eggs: A Game-Changer in Paleontology

The discovery of the Qianlong shouhu dinosaur species in China has revealed that the first dinosaur eggs had leathery shells, challenging previous assumptions. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary changes in dinosaur egg morphology and provides insights into the reproductive traits of reptilian clades. The study also suggests that the major transition in egg morphology occurred early in the evolution of theropod dinosaurs rather than near the origin of birds.

via SciTechDaily|
#dinosaur-eggs#evolution#fossil-discovery
Unusual Vaginal Abilities Found in Bomb-Sniffing Rats
science3 years ago

Unusual Vaginal Abilities Found in Bomb-Sniffing Rats

Female giant African pouched rats, used for detecting landmines and tuberculosis, have the ability to open or close their vaginal entrance multiple times during their lifetime, even after giving birth. This unusual trait could have implications for breeding them more effectively and may even have broader implications for other mammals struggling to reproduce, including humans. The study's findings are a step toward understanding their reproductive biology and how traits once considered "fixed" in adult animals may become variable under specific pressures.

via SciTechDaily|
#landmines#plasticity#reproductive-biology
"Scientists Successfully Create Mice with Two Fathers Using Skin Cells"
science3 years ago

"Scientists Successfully Create Mice with Two Fathers Using Skin Cells"

Scientists have successfully created mice with two biologically male parents using eggs generated from the skin cells of male mice. The research could expand the possibilities for future fertility treatments, including for same-sex couples, and help prevent the extinction of endangered animals. However, scientists warn there’s still much to learn before cultured cells can be used to make human eggs in a lab dish. The technique holds promise for conserving endangered species, although it’s not known whether the process in mice would occur in other mammal species. The work raises thorny ethical and legal questions that society needs to start thinking about.

via CNN|
#endangered-species#ethics#reproductive-biology