Scientists in Shanghai have discovered a genetic mutation that causes infertility in some men, raising hopes that a cure may be found.

The discovery was published on Friday in the US peer-reviewed journal

According to Liu Mofang, who led the research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, the mutation affects sperm development, resulting in a reduction in both quantity and quality.

However, the researchers were able to reverse the effect of the mutation in mice using gene therapy, which observers say lays the groundwork for a possible future treatment for affected men.