Can Sperm RNA Found in Eggs Shed Light on Parthenogenesis and Cloning?

[iansmith]

Presence in newly fertilized ova provides insight into parthenogenesis and cloning | By Cathy Holding



A team of researchers has observed sperm mRNA in newly fertilized eggs, according to a paper published in the May 13 Nature, in a finding that provides alternative explanations for mammalian parthenogenesis, cloning, and male infertility, the team writes. The results would also have immediate applications for treating infertile couples and for providing a screen for toxicological effects in spermatogenesis, said coauthor Steven Krawetz.

Krawetz's team identified six transcripts present in sperm, but not in unfertilized eggs, and followed the delivery of two of them—clusterin and protamine-2—into eggs using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

“It's really the first demonstration that human sperm contain a population of RNAs,” said Krawetz, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Wayne State University. “Specifically, we show messenger RNAs, and those are delivered to the oocyte upon fertilization.”

http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20040513/01

 

[Monique]

..I thought that was already known? It must've been a rumor then..

 

[iansmith]

It was probably suggested as a theory but now they have proof.

 

[PRodQuanta]

I think the main thing they are getting to here is that they found it possible for an egg to fertilize another egg. This is after they tested it. Now, I believe, they are moving on to pigs.

Those girls, always learning to take out the middleman
Paden Roder

 

[Monique]

Hey! Steven Krawetz.. gee, my former department is doing well..