Without this, a “normal” egg is practically infertile. The so called “Juno” protein has a very important role. Similar molecules displayed on all sperm and egg must bind each other at the moment of conception. Some cases of female infertility could be explained by women having an abnormal version of the Juno protein. This will be treated or at least , if known, a special procedure called Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in which the sperm is directly injected into the egg should overcome the problem. The birth control will benefit at the same time of a new generation of contraceptives. The interesting fact is that the Juno protein can’t be detected in a matter of 40 minutes after the fertilization is achieved. The study solving a longstanding mystery in biology must be continued before all the related aspects will be clarified. At this time, as Allan Pacey, a fertility expert at the University of Sheffield observed, the scientists are still “remarkably sketchy” about the key molecules involved in sperm and egg interactions.
