Genetics of new sperm quality traits

Flow cytometric assays are replacing older methods used to define male fertility.

This project focuses on two emerging flow cytometric assays: the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and the sperm protamine deficiency assay (SPDA, developed by our group).

Sperm DNA damage measured by the SCSA is a known factor of male sub-fertility in mammals, including humans.

We aim to investigate the relationship between protamine deficiency and sperm DNA damage, estimating for the first time the heritability of these sperm quality traits.

This project is financed by Meat & Livestock Australia and is conducted in collaboration with Dr Gry Boe-Hansen and Dr Nana Satake from the School of Veterinary Science.