Passing the Teste

Oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia (OAT) is a genetic disorder that causes male infertility. A faulty gene fails to produce the messenger RNA molecules which guide development of healthy sperm in the testes. Here researchers explore a treatment in mouse testes – first injecting new mRNA molecules then shocking the testicles – this electroporation helps the new chemicals to pass into the cells. Making the tissue semi -transparent with clearing chemicals, allowing sensitive light sheet microscopy to peer into the testis (pictured in two halves, highlighted in purple). We see the injected mRNA (green) in the seminiferous tubules where sperm are produced. Early results show an improvement in sperm health. Similar approaches may one day be used to treat OAT in humans, while RNA therapies are also aiming at other genetic disorders like cancer and muscular dystrophy.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

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• Image from work by Charline Vilpreux and Paul Fourquin, and colleagues
• Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team Genetic, Epigenetic and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
• Image originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
• Published in eLife, March 2026