Infertility is a rising health issue with approximately 1 in 6 people of the adult population is affected globally, according to a 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report. Males are estimated to contribute in approximately half of the overall infertility cases. Assisted Reproductive technology (ART) including IVF and ICSI plays a major role in helping infertile patients to have children. Despite advancement in ART, success rate ranges between 30-40%/cycle in terms of live birth, reflecting major gaps in our knowledge of molecular mechanisms governing successful fertilization and early embryonic development.

PLCζ (Phospholipase C-zeta) is known as the sperm factor and required for calcium oscillation, a critical process for oocyte activation and fertilization. Data from human and mice has shown that PLCζ expression level and sperm localization are important for successful fertilization and pregnancy. Moreover, we created PLCζ knockout mouse models using CRISPR/CAS9 technology to model its function in mouse oocyte fertilization and early embryonic development. The PLCζ knockout mouse models revealed a novel roles in early events of embryos cellular division. We believe that PLCζ protein is an excellent biomarker for sperm health and male fertility and potential infertility therapeutic.