Reproductive biology is the branch of biology that studies the mechanisms, processes, and systems involved in reproduction in living organisms. This field encompasses the anatomy, physiology, endocrinology, and behavior associated with reproductive processes in both animals and plants. Key areas of focus include gametogenesis (the formation of eggs and sperm), fertilization, embryonic development, reproductive cycles, and the hormonal regulation of these processes. In humans and other animals, reproductive biology also explores topics like mating systems, reproductive health, and assisted reproductive technologies (such as in vitro fertilization). Understanding reproductive biology is crucial for addressing issues related to fertility, contraception, population management, and the conservation of endangered species. Advances in this field contribute to medical and agricultural innovations, enhancing reproductive health and efficiency.
Researchers have discovered a new role for biogenic monoamines, such as dopamine and serotonin, in the reproductive development of planarian flatworms, suggesting these neurotransmitters also…
A study shows that the energy costs of animal reproduction are significantly higher than once thought, mainly due to indirect costs like gestation. This discovery…
Harvard researchers have found that the maternal immune response to viral infections in pregnant mice can be detected by microglia in the embryo’s brain, altering…
Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) overcome scientific roadblocks and develop a model to assess the biology of the human placental barrier. During…
Two studies led by Rutgers provide insights into the success and failure of egg cells. Scientists researching the challenge of high miscarriage rates have been…
One of the fundamental and timeless questions of life concerns the mechanics of its inception. Take human development, for example: how do individual cells come…
Mature spermatozoa are characterized by a head, midpiece, and a long tail for locomotion. Now, researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the Transdisciplinary…
New research supports the theory that genes promoting early reproduction may accelerate aging, but emphasizes the dominant role of environmental factors in determining lifespan and…
Armed with its own eyes, antennae, and swimming bristles, the posterior body part of a sea worm detaches for spawning. Scientists revealed its developmental mechanism…
To date it has been unclear exactly how the sex of a bee is determined. A research team from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) comprising…
Scientists identify new protein biomarkers for visualizing well-developed sperm to assess the potential success of surgical sperm retrieval. In a recent study, scientists developed a…
Researchers have successfully induced asexual reproduction in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, an organism that typically reproduces sexually. For the first time, scientists have induced…
For the first time, scientists have identified a genetic cause of virgin birth, and once activated, this ability is inherited by subsequent generations of females….
Viviparity, or the ability to give birth to live young, is commonly linked to mammals. However, this mode of reproduction has evolved multiple times across…
Female giant African pouched rats, used for sniffing out landmines and detecting tuberculosis, can undergo astounding reproductive organ transformations, according to a new study. Unlike…
Fighting back against mosquitoes by deactivating their sperm. A recent study conducted at UC Riverside makes it likely that proteins responsible for activating mosquito sperm…
Scientists have published the first meta-analysis to demonstrate declining sperm counts among men from South and Central America, Asia, and Africa. The international team was…
Research offers additional insights into the reproductive process. A team of scientists has discovered that the behavior of sperm cells is due, in part, to…