Sperm with an envelope
Scientists have found a way to attach nanoparticles to sperm cells
Scientists have found a way to attach nanoparticles to spermatozoa; in the future, this method can be used to diagnose rare cases of infertility, as well as drug delivery to the egg, according to an article published in the journal Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine (Effects Of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Upon The Function Of Mammalian Sperm In Vitro – VM).
"Nanoparticles are like empty envelopes that can be filled with different substances and placed in cells. The nanoparticles that we use do not interact with sperm, which makes them an excellent means of delivery," explained the head of the study, Natalia Barkalina from the University of Oxford (UK).
Spermatozoa are difficult to study because of their small size, unusual shape and short life time outside the body, but it is necessary to study the causes of infertility. Barkalina and her colleagues used boar spermatozoa in their work, as they are similar to human ones in size, shape and activity. By keeping spermatozoa in an incubator together with hollow silicon nanoparticles, scientists have achieved the formation of a strong bond between them.
A snapshot from the press release of Nanoparticles to probe mystery sperm defects behind infertility - VM.
In the future, scientists plan to test how these nanoparticles will work if they are filled with active substances, and then repeat their results on human sperm. They hope that in a few years this method will give them the opportunity to determine the causes of rare cases of infertility, and possibly treat it by delivering medications to the egg using nanoparticles.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru18.11.2013