Sheffield academic stars in unique sperm documentary
An academic from the University of Sheffield has lead an international team of experts contributing to an exciting new science documentary which will tell the story of human conception as it's never been told before.
The programme, which will be shown on Channel 4, will feature expert comment from Dr Allan Pacey, Senior Lecturer in Andrology at the University and leading fertility scientist.
The Great Sperm Race, which will be shown today, will chart the journey of sperm from ejaculation to egg. The microscopic world of sperm and egg will be scaled up accurately by 34,000 times – using actors to play the part of the sperm. The journey will take place in some of the world's most striking landscapes to illustrate the stages of the process. This will include the Canadian Rockies, representing the vagina, and the buildings on London's South Bank symbolising the cervix.
Made in conjunction with the Wellcome Trust and consulting the world's leading reproductive scientists, The Great Sperm Race, demonstrates the extraordinary intricacies of our bodies and the giant lottery of luck that is our reproductive process.
The programme will look at a number of interesting facts about reproduction and conception. This will include looking at the effects of the stresses, strains and pollutions of modern life and how this affects the quality of sperm production. Dr Pacey, who has conducted research into this area, will shed light on how these factors can increase the risk of having a low motile sperm count.
Dr Pacey said:
"This unique programme will show a dramatic representation of the life of sperm. It's a surprise that conception works as elegantly as it does most of the time, because the battle that sperm have in order to find and fertilise an egg is just immense. Everything is working against sperm and they're not really given a helping hand by the female reproductive tract. It is a monumental battle of quite epic proportions."
The programme will be shown tonight at 9pm on Channel 4
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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