This study examines how different lighting conditions affect circadian rhythms and physiology in diurnal Nile grass rats, finding that daylight-equivalent lighting produces stronger circadian entrainment and better physiological outcomes than fluorescent lighting.

Journal of Biological Rhythms · Sep 7, 2026Peer-reviewedAnimal Behavior & Cognition

Sperm meet the elevated energy demands to attain fertilization competence by increasing flux through aldolase

Sara Nunes Violante, Aye Kyaw, Lana Kouatli, Kaushik Paladugu, Lauren Apostolakis, Macy Jenks, Amy Johnson, Ryan D. Sheldon, Douglas A. Whitten, Anthony L. Schilmiller, Pablo E. Visconti, Justin R. Cross, Lonny R. Levin, Jochen Buck, Melanie Balbach

This study identifies how sperm increase metabolic flux through aldolase to meet energy demands during capacitation, revealing conserved metabolic regulation mechanisms in mammalian cells.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · Sep 24, 2025Peer-reviewedBiochemistry

A conserved role of Parkinson-associated DJ-1 metabolites in sperm motility, mitosis, and embryonic development

Susanne Bour, Yanina Dening, Melanie Balbach, Ina Poser, Inés Ramírez Álvarez, Helena den-Haan, Christoph Kluge, Ronald Naumann, Reinhard Oertel, Irene Alba‐Alejandre, Davide Accardi, Christian Georg Stief, Marianne Dieterich, Peter Falkai, Rainer A. Böckmann, , Francisco J. Pan-Montojo

This study shows that DJ-1 metabolites GA and DL can rescue fertility and mitochondrial dysfunction in multiple species, with GA having broader effects across models.

bioRxiv · Jan 16, 2021 · PreprintDevelopmental Biology