New York: A team of researchers has discovered the making of a "secret handshake" between sperm and the cells lining the uterus that finally let one sperm out of nearly 200 million to make it through and fertilise a single egg, say researchers.
Uterine cells express a receptor that recognizes a glycan molecule on the surface of sperm cells.
It's possible that this interaction may adjust the female's immune response and help sperm make it through the leukocytic reaction, said the researchers from University of California, San Diego. The leukocytic reaction is not well understood.
What we do know, explained molecular anthropologist Pascal Gagneux, is that "after crossing the cervix, millions of sperm that arrive in the uterus are faced by a barrage of macrophages and neutrophils".
This attack by the innate immune system kills a majority of the sperm cells in semen, winnowing hundreds of millions of sperm down to just a few hundred that enter the fallopian tubes.
The defensive response may be beneficial in preventing polyspermy, when an egg is fertilized by more than one sperm and cannot develop.
"It's somewhat embarrassing how little we can say about what this [interaction] means," said Gagneux in a paper published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Reproduction, he said, "is a very, very delicate tug-of-war at many levels. The fact that there is (also) this immune game going on is completely fascinating."
- Home
- Sex education
- Secret handshake detect
Related Post
Sensex Climbs 240 Points, Nifty Up 72 Points in Early Trade
Mumbai: The Indian stock market opened in green on Tuesday, with buying in the IT and pharma sectors in early…
Current Housing Trends in India: Bigger Homes Dominate Buyers’ Demand
The Indian real estate market, despite challenges, continues to show resilience as the demand for bigger homes remains strong, according…
Bihar Becomes First State in India to Appoint Transgenders in Police Force
Patna: Bihar has set a historic precedent by becoming the first state in India to appoint transgender individuals as sub-inspectors…
Israeli-Palestinian VLogger Nuseir Yassin Reacts to PM Modi’s Speech at a Summit in Delhi
New Delhi: Israeli-Palestinian vlogger Nuseir Yassin reacts to PM Modi’s speech at the NDTV World Summit 2024—The India Century, saying,…
Zepto Co-Founder & CEO Aadit Palicha Shares His Thoughts
New Delhi: Aadit Palicha, Co-Founder & CEO of Zepto, says, “I think this was a wonderful summit. We had world-class…
Special News
-
Adar Poonawalla Buys 50% Stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions
October 21, 2024 -
Intriguing Case of an Indian Who US Says is a RAW Agent
October 20, 2024 -
Kajol on Celebrating Karwa Chauth
October 20, 2024 -
Supreme Court Clears Missing Persons Claims Against Isha Foundation
October 19, 2024 -
Is Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi New favourite of Bollywood ‘Has Beens’?
October 18, 2024 -
India-New Zealand 1st Test: Hurt Pant to Not Keep Wickets on Day 3
October 18, 2024 -
Nikita Porwal from Madhya Pradesh Wins the Femina Miss India Crown
October 17, 2024
Top News
-
211 Ft Tall Ravana Prepared in Delhi’s Dwarka
October 6, 2024
Sensex Climbs 240 Points, Nifty Up 72 Points in Early Trade
October 22, 2024
Zepto Co-Founder & CEO Aadit Palicha Shares His Thoughts
October 22, 2024