South Korean researchers have discovered a link between sleep and a protein known for its role in reproduction. 

A team led by Professor Kim Young-joon at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology and a team led by Professor Choe Joon-ho at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology used fruit flies as a key model in their sleep research. 

They found that when the seminal fluid protein Sex Peptide (SP) of a male fly is transferred to females during copulation, this suppresses substances that spur neural arousal and helps to stabilize sleep in both males and females. 

Researchers expect the discovery to pave the way for developing new treatments for sleeping disorders and infertility.  

The study was published late last month in the online edition of PLOS Biology, a renowned journal in bio science.