A new organic molecule designed by scientists from Hyderabad, Mangalore and Manipal comes as a boon to childless couples as it boosts the competence of sperms used for in vitro fertilisation (IVF). This molecule known as mPTX has been created by Rajakumara Eerappa’s group from Department of Biotechnology, IIT Hyderabad; Jagadeesh Prasad Dasappa’s group in Mangalore University; and Guruprasad Kalthur’s group at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

Investigations have revealed that mPTX, a derivative of pentoxifylline, increases sperm motility and enhances sperm fertilisation potential, without impacting the development of embryos at a lower concentration compared to the regular alternative as a pharmacological agent – pentoxifylline.

This is why in comparison to drugs presently being used, the mPTX molecule has more potential as a pharmacological agent for assisted reproductive technology.

With about 48 million infertile couples globally, reduction in sperm motility is a major cause of male infertility. Motility is crucial for sperms to be at the site of fertilisation during normal conception. Also, the quantity of motile spermatozoa there in ejaculation determines the ideal artificial insemination method such as IVF for infertility treatment.