Unraveling the Sperm Dark Matter: Investing in Female Health
Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Male-factor infertility affects millions of couples worldwide. Due to a lack of alternatives, many couples ultimately
resort to In Vitro fertilization (IVF) with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). This treatment puts most of the
infertility burden on the female partner and requires an invasive surgical procedure. The availability of IVF/ICSI has
inhibited progress into the understanding and treatment of male infertility and put the female at risk.
To overcome this negative impact on the female, there is a need to reinvest in the study of sperm biology. As recent
examples demonstrate, sperm have many unknown factors – the sperm dark matter-that can help resolve
undetermined male infertility. Directing research to uncover the sperm dark matter will ultimately lead to novel
treatments of male infertility focused on treating the underlying etiology and not merely focusing on the female
partner.
Authors: Tomer Avidor‐Reiss, Samantha B. Schon
Language: English
Subfield: Reproductive Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3135099650