The New Year of Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine

The reproductive system generates offspring, ensuring the survival of the species. In humans, the reproductive system is complex and involves a variety of organs and hormones that work together to ensure successful reproduction.
The gonads, or primary reproductive organs, produce gametes and sex hormones. In males, the testes produce spermatozoa and testosterone, which is responsible for developing secondary male sex characteristics, including a deeper voice, larger muscles, facial and body...

Reproductive cloning is the process of producing a genetically identical copy—a clone—of an entire organism. While clones can be produced by splitting an early embryo—similar to what happens naturally with identical twins—cloning of adult animals is usually done by a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
In SCNT, an egg cell is taken from an animal and its nucleus is removed, creating an enucleated egg. Then a somatic...

The first successfully cloned mammal was Dolly, a sheep, born on 5th July 1996 at Roslin Institute, Scotland. The cloned sheep was named after the American singer Dolly Parton. Dolly lived for seven years and died of respiratory complications, which is speculated to be due to the actual age of her DNA. Because the DNA in cloned cells belongs to an older individual,  the cloned individual’s life expectancy may be affected. Indeed, analysis of Dolly’s DNA revealed shorter...

Mammal ReproductionMammals have specialized reproductive strategies that set them apart from other vertebrates. Most mammals give birth to live young (except monotremes like the platypus and echidna, which lay eggs) and provide care for their offspring. One key feature of mammals is that mothers produce milk to feed their young through mammary glands. Mammals also show various parental care behaviors that increase the survival chances of their young, such as protecting, feeding, and teaching...

ReproductionReproduction is the biological process by which organisms produce offspring, ensuring the survival of their species. There are two main types of reproduction: asexual and sexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction involves a single parent and produces genetically identical offspring, while sexual reproduction requires two parents and results in genetic variation. Understanding reproduction helps scientists study genetics, evolution, and population dynamics.Science and Engineering...

Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...