Mutant gene reduces male fertility
A genetic mutation that removes a coating of carbohydrates around sperm reduces their mobility and may explain why some men are less fertile than others, researchers said on Thursday.
Couples who had the most trouble conceiving were those where the men inherited both copies of this mutant gene, one from their father and one from their mother.
The loss of this coating makes it more difficult for sperm to travel through fluids in the female reproductive tract, which in turn reduces the rate of conception.
"Our key finding was that the rate of births among couples where the husband had two copies of the DEFB126 mutation was 30 percent lower than in other couples."
