Defective Sperm Cells Inside The Body Tagged By Quality Control Mechanism

Defective sperm cells do not pass through the body unnoticed. A new University of Missouri study provides evidence that the body recognizes and tags defective sperm cells while they undergo maturation in the epididymis, a sperm storage gland attached to the testis. According to researchers, only the best sperm that have the highest chance of succeeding in fertilization will survive the production process without a "tag."

A small protein called ubiquitin marks abnormal sperm cells, including cells that have two heads, two tails or are otherwise misshaped. This "recycling tag" on the sperm cell tells the body which cells need to be broken back down into amino acids. This provides evidence that there is an active removal process or marking of defective sperm during the epididymal passage.

"Fertilization is, in a way, a numbers game," said Peter Sutovsky, associate professor of animal sciences, clinical obstetrics and gynecology in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. "You need a certain number of normal sperm cells to reach the egg. If too many are tagged with ubiquitin, there may be not enough to fertilize an egg."

This study suggests that the male reproductive system must be able to evaluate and control the quality of the sperm to insure an optimal chance of fertilization. High levels of ubiquitin in the sperm can indicate low-sperm count or infertility. This process of quality control has been found in both humans and other mammals including bulls, boars and rats.

"In many cases, the cells that are tagged with ubiquitin are obviously abnormal with two tails or two heads, but many of them look like they don't have defects," Sutovsky said. "Oftentimes, these cells may look normal but lack proteins that are important to fertility."

Once sperm cells are tagged as defective, it is unlikely that the process can be reversed. Sutovsky stresses the importance of a healthy lifestyle to reduce the likelihood of abnormal sperm cells. He suggests avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals, abstaining from smoking and maintaining a healthy diet. He suggests people who work with toxins on a daily basis should minimize their exposure by wearing protective clothing and respirators.

The Cardiac Surgeon & The Mechanic

A mechanic was removing the cylinder heads from the motor of a car when he spotted the famous heart surgeon in his shop, who was standing off to the side, waiting for the service manager to come to take a look at his car. The mechanic shouted across the garage,"Hello Doctor!! Please come over here for a minute." The famous surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over to
the mechanic.

The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked argumentatively, "So doctor, look at this. I also open hearts, take valves out, grind 'em, put in new parts, and when I finish this will work as a new one. So how come you get the big money, when you and me is doing basically the same work? "


The doctor leaned over and whispered to the mechanic.....

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He said: "Try to do it when the engine is running".

Foot-in-the-mouth Disease

Belated Woman's Day Wishes

Smallest Woman in The World

Happiness isn't what you are, it's who you are

British and Australian scientists have found that a person's genes can predispose them towards happiness. Reporting in the journal Psychological Science, the researchers found that genes account for 50 per cent of the factors contributing to an individual's satisfaction with life, with external influences such as health, wealth, relationships and career accounting for the other 50 per cent.
The team, from the University of Edinburgh and the Queensland Institute for Medical Research, conducted a study on more than 900 pairs of twins aged from 25 to 75 years old. Happiness was assessed through a questionnaire designed to determine certain personality traits such as a tendency not to worry excessively, or being sociable or conscientious. Previous research has indicated that these traits contribute towards an overall sense of contentment and well-being. By comparing the results from identical twins (who have exactly the same genes) and non-identical, fraternal twins (who share on average 50 per cent of their genes), the researchers were able to estimate how much genes influence certain characteristics compared to nurture and up-bringing. What they found 'was that the identical twins in a family were very similar in personality and in well-being and, by contrast, the fraternal twins were only around half as similar', said Dr Tim Bates, one of the Edinburgh researchers. He concluded: 'that strongly implicates genes'.
Importantly, the study found that with identical twins, the siblings' similar outlook on life did not depend on their current life circumstances. So even if one twin could be perceived as being more successful than the other, or as living a more desirable lifestyle, they would both nonetheless feel similarly contented with their lot. Their shared genetic make-up inclines them towards similar levels of satisfaction, regardless of differing life situations. Dr Bates explained: 'it is a genetic link to
personality, rather than a particular happiness gene...which is partly responsible for our levels of happiness'. The researchers believe that certain genetically-defined characteristics may make a person more or less able to take stressful or difficult times in their stride. Those genetically predisposed towards contentment may find it easier to get through these times and find future happiness. Dr Alexander Weiss, also of the Edinburgh team, summarised: 'although happiness is subject to a wide range of external influences we have found that there is a heritable component of happiness which can be entirely explained by the genetic architecture of personality'. Although these findings are important, other psychologists have emphasised that it does not mean a person's state of mind is set in stone by their genes. Dr Carol Craig of the Centre for Confidence and Wellbeing in
Glasgow told The Scotsman newspaper: 'genes may be significant, but there are things everyone can do to improve their happiness'.

Punjab Da Puttar

At just 2ft 9in, Indian muscleman Aditya 'Romeo' Dev is the world's smallest bodybuilder. Pint-sized Romeo is well-known in his hometown of Phagwara, India - for his ability to lift 1.5kg dumbbells - despite his overall 9kg body weight. Every day, crowds flock to the local gym to the see the mini-muscleman in training.Unlike many dwarfs, Romeo is well proportioned, with a head circumference of 15in and a chest measurement of 20in.
Romeo said: "I've been training as a bodybuilder for the last two years and by now I think I must be the strongest dwarf in the world. "I have always been fit but since I started working out, I have become famous for my strength. "My size has never stopped me. I train with dumbbells and do aerobics and dance. People are always pleased to see me. I have been invited on TV shows and dance on stage."
His trainer Ranjeet Pal spents hours helping his 19-year-old protege build his small muscles to perfection. "Because of his small size, I don't assign him hard exercises. But Romeo trains more or less the same as anyone else and he's much more determined.
"When he first started, I insisted he did a month of basic exercises like aerobics, push-ups and basic gymnastics to prepare his body."After that, I made lightweight dumbbells and taught him basic weight-lifting exercises to shape his biceps and triceps. His size and his weight were taken care of so that he never hurt himself." Determined Romeo is hoping to have an entertainment career after performing in many local TV shows. He said: "I earn good money through my dance and bodybuilding shows but being rich doesn't interest me. "My dream is to travel a lot - I want to perform in London with my idol, Jazzy-B."