(Ivanhoe Newswire) – New scientific findings are crucial for infertility research and treatment and for a more comprehensive understanding of germ cell biology in general. Researchers have now found a way to turn mouse embryonic stem cells into sperm.
Investigators coaxed mouse embryonic stem cells into sperm precursors, called primordial germ cells (PGCs), and discovered that these cells were able to produce healthy sperm. The researchers say that such in vitro reconstitution of germ cell development represents one of the most fundamental challenges in biology.
When the cells were transplanted into mice that were not able to produce sperm normally, the stem cell derived primordial germ cells produced normal-looking sperm. It was then used to successfully fertilize eggs. The researchers say that when transplanted into a recipient mother, these fertilized eggs produced healthy offspring that grew into fertile male and female adult mice. Investigators trust the same procedure could produce fertile offspring from induced pluripotent stem cells that are often derived from adult skin cells.
The authors believe a continued investigation aimed at in vitro reconstitution of germ cell development, including the induction of female PGCLCs and their descendants will help the advancement of reproductive technology and medicine.
SOURCE: Cell, August 10, 2011.
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