Scientists discover new gene 'key to fertility'

Expertsfrom Durham University say they have identified a new gene that could help the development of fertility treatments in humans in the future.

Looking at fertility in mice, the scientists discovered for the first time that the gene, which makes a protein called PDILT, enables sperm to bind to an egg, a process essential to fertilisation.

Theteam found that when the gene was ‘switched off’ in male mice, less than 3% of females’ eggs were fertilised compared to more than 80% in mice when the gene was left switched on.