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The two sections show an oval-shaped structure, some of which is red in color. The red-colored structure is larger in the image above.
Fathers’ Gut Bacteria Impact Offspring Health
Gut microbiome disruption in male mice increases disease risk in offspring, indicating that preconception paternal health status can affect the next generation.
Fathers’ Gut Bacteria Impact Offspring Health
Fathers’ Gut Bacteria Impact Offspring Health

Gut microbiome disruption in male mice increases disease risk in offspring, indicating that preconception paternal health status can affect the next generation.

Gut microbiome disruption in male mice increases disease risk in offspring, indicating that preconception paternal health status can affect the next generation.

sperm

Image from infographic showing how ultrasound waves improved motility in sperm.
Sperm Speed Up with Ultrasound
Shelby Bradford, PhD | Aug 15, 2024 | 1 min read
A team demonstrated that ultrasound waves improved motility in sperm.
A sperm and oocyte with a DNA double helix in the background
How Sperm Regulate Offspring Health
Deanna MacNeil, PhD | Aug 9, 2024 | 3 min read
A short term high fat diet before fertilization rewires sperm small RNA expression, passing predisposition to metabolic disease onto offspring.
A mother mouse breastfeeds her offspring
Fast-Acting Nonhormonal Male Birth Control Prevents Pregnancy in Mice
Katherine Irving | Feb 15, 2023 | 5 min read
The “on demand” drug immobilizes sperm rather than limit their production, preventing 100 percent of pregnancies in an experiment.
Artist’s rendition of the molecular structure of a ribosome (blue and purple) as it produces a polypeptide chain (red) from an mRNA template (orange and gray), with tRNA molecules (dark purple) shuttling amino acids.
Specialized Sperm Ribosomes Are Key to Male Fertility in Mice
Dan Robitzski | Dec 15, 2022 | 4 min read
A previously unknown kind of ribosome is responsible for folding sperm proteins, which decay before fertilization if prepared by other ribosomes.
Brown coral in shallow water branching upward with blue fish in front. 
Corals Upend Longstanding Idea About Genetic Inheritance
Natalia Mesa, PhD | Sep 1, 2022 | 4 min read
Most animals can’t pass on mutations that arise spontaneously throughout their lives—but Elkhorn corals can.
A small brown crustacean with white spots on it moving on a red branch.
Seaweed Has Its Own Matchmakers: Small Crustaceans
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Jul 28, 2022 | 3 min read
A species that transports the spermatia of red algae is the first known instance of an animal facilitating fertilization in this ancient photosynthetic lineage.
Trichaptum abietinum growing on a pine log
Caught on Camera
The Scientist | Jun 13, 2022 | 4 min read
See some of the coolest images recently featured by The Scientist
Image of sperm hooks (<em>Peromyscus maniculatus</em>)
The Mystery of the Mouse Sperm Hook
Natalia Mesa, PhD | May 2, 2022 | 5 min read
Nearly all mouse sperm have hooks on their heads. But new research suggests the structures slow them down—so what exactly is their purpose?
A headshot of Matthew Gage
Evolutionary Ecologist Matthew Gage Dies at 55
Amanda Heidt | Apr 20, 2022 | 3 min read
The University of East Anglia researcher was best known for his contributions to the study of sexual selection, particularly post-copulatory sperm competition.
Pink rat pups piled on top of each other.
Rat Sperm Generated from Stem Cells
Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Apr 7, 2022 | 4 min read
Researchers report they were able to make functional sperm in a dish, a feat previously only possible for mice.
Collage of images including sperm, bacteria, coral, and an illustration of a researcher
Our Favorite Cell and Molecular Biology Stories of 2021
Jef Akst | Dec 2, 2021 | 3 min read
Beyond The Scientist’s coverage of COVID-19’s molecular underpinnings were many other stories highlighting the advances made in scientists’ understanding of the biology of cells.
One hand holds a white envelope with a blue and red striped border, while a second hand places a clear sheet of plastic inside with small squares of paper on it
Freeze-Dried Mouse Sperm Sent by Postcard Produces Baby Mice
Amanda Heidt | Aug 5, 2021 | 4 min read
Rather than relying on samples that need to be shipped in glass vials and on ice, researchers have developed a new method that allows mouse sperm to be sent easily at room temperature using standard mail delivery.
The Epigenetic Origins of Allergy and Asthma
The Scientist Speaks Ep. 15 - The Epigenetic Origins of Allergy and Asthma
The Scientist | Feb 26, 2021 | 1 min read
Epigenetic marks acquired from environmental exposures throughout life influence human health and may even transcend generations.
Unearthed: World’s Oldest Animal Sperm—And It’s Giant
Max Kozlov | Dec 1, 2020 | 2 min read
The sperm, belonging to a tiny marine crustacean, dates back nearly 100 million years, making it the most ancient animal sperm found to date.
Women’s Cervical Mucus Prefers Some Sperm Over Others 
Abby Olena, PhD | Aug 18, 2020 | 3 min read
In human male-female pairs with a less similar suite of genes for human leukocyte antigens, sperm fare better when exposed to cervical mucus.
Image of the Day: Scrambled Frog Eggs
Emily Makowski | Nov 6, 2019 | 2 min read
Cellular innards can reorganize themselves to form structures similar to cells.
Human Testicles Contain Endocannabinoid System Components
Ruth Williams | Sep 19, 2019 | 3 min read
Proteins that synthesize, bind, and degrade endocannabinoids are present in the body’s sperm factories, suggesting that the use of cannabis may directly affect them.
Image of the Day: Synchronous Spawning
Emily Makowski | Sep 9, 2019 | 1 min read
Groups of corals release all of their eggs and sperm once a year, but the timing of their spawning is under threat from climate change.
sperm motility tracking software flagella swimming movement fertility
Image of the Day: Motile Swimmers
Chia-Yi Hou | Jun 12, 2019 | 1 min read
Scientists track the movement of sperm flagella.
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