Scientists have discovered a molecule that plays a key role in the development of sperm.
The Cancer Research UK team were actually investigating the role of JAM-C in the formation of new blood vessels around tumours. Their work suggests genetic defects interfering with the normal function of the molecule could cause infertility by blocking the maturation of sperm cells.
Sperm cells develop in the testes and undergo a series of changes until they are mature and viable. They begin life as round cells and as they mature they elongate and develop a tail. Defects at any stage of this process can prevent the cells from maturing and lead to male infertility.