A new study suggests that genes located in the part of cells that creates energy, are a large contributor to male infertility.

Dr. Damian Dowling from Monash University in Melbourne and his colleagues conducted genetic studies on fruit flies to determine how genetics affect male infertility. Fruit flies have a surprisingly similar genome to humans, making them an appropriate subject of study.

In looking at the power-center for cells, known as the mitochondria, the researchers realized that the genetics that make up this part of the cell don’t go through rigorous quality control checks like other genes do. The result is high levels of genetic mutations that go unchecked and get passed along to male offspring.

“What our results suggest is that the mitochondria have inadvertently evolved to be bad for males, but good for females, as a by-product of their maternal transmission,” said Dowling. “While medical practitioners have a fairly good idea that certain mitochondrial mutations can bring about male infertility, the evolutionary process that we uncover actually suggests that the mitochondria might well harbor very many unidentified mutations, all of which could contribute to the problem of male infertility.”

Although this study does not necessarily explain all male infertility, it is a breakthrough in how researchers may study this condition going forward. Dowling concludes, “At the very least, our results should therefore provide a road-map of where we should be looking for these mutations.”

Male infertility can be related to issues of low semen count, low semen volume, or abnormal sperm. This research study was published in the May 13, 2011 edition of the journal Science.

Male Infertility Got You Down? 5 Ways to Boost Your Swimmers