Worms Are More Similar To Us Than We Think

A study at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, has discovered that the velcro protein used to bind sperm to egg in humans is the same exact protein used in roundworms. The only difference is, the human velcro protein was discovered over ten years ago while this was just recently discovered. Humans and worms are connected through a common ancestor that lived more than 700 million years ago. This brand new discovery will open up pathways into exploring the genetic links of fertility between worms and humans. 

Now the benefit of this discovery seems to be that it will lead to better fertility treatments and contraceptives for humans. Sperm that lack this velcro protein in the roundworm were shaped normally, but lacked the ability to fertilize an egg. Many couples in the United States and around the world have issues when it comes to fertility. By learning more about how this protein works in the worms, scientists are hopeful to increase the known information about how fertility works and increase the number of couples that can have children that are incapable.