Test Tube Babies Suffer in the Aftermath
Many of you may have heard the term “test-tube baby” used before but been unsure what exactly was meant by it. Over two decades ago scientists and doctors conceived a way to help couples experiencing difficulties with becoming pregnant. They called it assisted reproductive technology (ART), the most common type being in vitro fertilization (IVF). ART refers to many different treatments that aid in the fertilization of a woman’s egg by a sperm cell ranging from fertility drugs to IVF (more commonly known as a “test-tube baby”). IVF occurs in a laboratory setting when a woman’s egg is placed in a Petri dish with male sperm cells, once one sperm cell fertilizes the egg, doctors wait about five days to ensure fertilization and proper development and then implant the embryo into the uterus.
Procedures such as the one described above were once thought to be the answer to couples’ fertility problems. Doctors ensured patients that children who were conceived in this manner would not suffer from any immediate or long-term side effects. At the time research supported their claims.
Recently new research has surfaced that indicates the contrary. Temple geneticist Carmen Sapienza was reported to have said at a recent conference:
“Children conceived through ART are more prone to low birth weights, birth defects and genetic abnormalities, contrary to previous studies showing little or no differences between lab-made babies and those conceived the old-fashioned way.”
What are some of the potential causes for these defects that scientists are looking into?
Dyer, Nicole. “For Test-Tube Babies, Synthetic Environment Could Cause Lasting Genetic Damage | Popular Science.” Popular Science | New Technology, Science News, The Future Now. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. <http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-02/test-tube-babies-synthetic-environment-could-cause-lasting-genetic-damage>.
The Future in Male Contraceptives
In the previous post, I discussed the detrimental affect of marijuana on sperm cells. In short, how the chemicals present in marijuana lower the pH of the cells surrounding the sperm and trick the sperm into believing it is in a place of activation (the female vagina has a low pH). The low pH triggers the release of a protein called Hv1, this protein triggers the sperm cell to begin swimming. Unfortunately, if the sperm starts to swim too early it will literally burn-out before it is able to reach the egg.
Using the the chemical endocannabinoid anandamide, found in marijuana, scientists are proposing this could be the future in male contraceptives. It is not likely that this pill will be available to men anytime soon, as there is still research to be done. Endocannabinoid anandamide also affects other chemical reactions in the body that we may not know of yet, so there is the possibility that the side effects could outweigh the benefits of the drug.
Do you see this being a popular choice on contraceptive in the future? What are some of the other risks that would still be present during sexual intercourse even if using the pill?
It’s not a Sprint, It’s a Marathon: These Little Guys Got the Wrong Message
There are many misconceptions out there regarding different substances that can affect a male’s sperm: Doritos, Mountain Dew, marijuana. I have heard them all and for the most part there is no validity to these claims. However there is some truth to the claim regarding marijuana. Research has proven that chemicals found in marijuana can significantly lower the sperm count and the amount of seminal fluid as well as hinder the performance of sperm.
Researchers from the University of Buffalo have discovered that chemicals present in marijuana seem to be activating the sperm too early. In their race for the grand prize (the egg) the affected sperm begin to swim too quick too early. Marijuana lowers the pH surrounding the sperm cell, causing a premature activation of the a protein called Hv1. Hv1 serves as a jump start to get the sperm tails wagging and propel them forward. Unfortunately the early release of this protein causes the sperm to literally run out of gas and they can not reach the egg for fertilization.
For more information on how marijuana affects sperm cells read this article.
Beyond the Walls in Biology 