DadTalk

Sperm speed

Researchers have found how a chemical switch not only kick starts sperm swimming but also controls its speed as it races towards fertilising an egg.

The process is crucial to successful conception because if a sperm starts off too early or to quickly it will die before reaching the egg. Alternatively, if it starts too late and too slowly it will miss its opportunity.

Dr Yuriy Kirichok, the lead author from the University of California, said: "You can imagine now that we know the molecule responsible we could block it to prevent activation and fertilisation as a kind of male contraception.

"On the other hand, you might also give some sperm the extra boost they need."

It was already known that the speed at which a sperm's tail moves was controlled by the pH or acidity level inside its body. The less acidic the faster the sperm swims.

But now scientists, who published their study in the journal Cell, have discovered the process by which the pH levels of the "internal environment" is controlled.

Read more at the Telegraph