Human sperm (shown here in red and green for ease) swim in a slithering motion when close to a surface. (Image credit: Gilberto Santa Rosa)
Human sperm are able to swim faster and straighter when they are close to a surface by adopting a unique ‘slither’ according to new research. The research team believes this slither may have adapted to the confined space in the reproductive system.
Researchers filmed human sperm swimming within a micron of a glass surface and compared their behaviour to sperm swimming in a bulk solution.
Original research paper published in Nature on November 10, 2015.
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