An innovative method for treating male infertility has been created

Researchers from Osaka University have made an important discovery in the field of reproductive medicine, identifying key proteins responsible for sperm motility and formation. The research results, published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Communications, could revolutionize the understanding of male infertility causes.

Scientists have found that sperm movement is provided by a flagellum - a special "tail" that functions as a biological motor. The operation of this mechanism is controlled by a complex system of proteins, among which structures called "radial spokes" play a special role.

During experiments, it was established that the CFAP91 protein is a necessary component for the proper formation of these structures. Experiments on laboratory mice showed that the absence of this protein leads to serious disruptions in flagellum formation and, consequently, to complete male infertility.

"Our results show that CFAP91 serves as a scaffold for the assembly of radial spokes, and EFCAB5 is critically important for regulating sperm movement," explained the lead author of the study, Haotin Wang.

Upon reintroduction of the CFAP91 protein, researchers discovered its interaction with other radial spoke proteins, as well as with the EFCAB5 protein, which is responsible for coordinating sperm movements.

This discovery significantly expands the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of male infertility and could become the foundation for developing innovative methods for diagnosing and treating reproductive disorders in men.