A team of researchers from the University of Berkeley (United States) led by Dr Mélissa Miller discovered the mechanism which gives the impetus for the fertilization of the ovum by the sperm. This is the receptor for a protein that is found on the sperm flagellum and responds to the progesterone released by the egg. When semen moves closer to the egg, the hormone activates this receptor, which has the effect of giving a boost to the sperm which passes through the wall of the egg and fertilizes it.
This discovery could well pave the way for a treatment against male infertility which would reactivate this receiver in the event that it fails. But it could also lead to the development of a unisex contraceptive that “deactivates” the receptor so that it no longer responds to progesterone. By stopping this progesterone induction effect, the sperm would no longer be able to reach or penetrate the oocyte.
The researchers also plan to look at other diseases involving tissues containing progesterone. Thus, succeeding in blocking the induction of progesterone could make it possible to reduce the pain in the cases of neuropathies.
This study was published in the journal Science.
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