Lab grown sperm

Almost unbelievably, sperm has been created in the laboratory from the tissue of an immature testes. A viable sample of mouse sperm was in a technique that may be used for men and could lead to a new kind of infertility treatment.

Takuya Sato at Yokohama City University in Hano extracted germ cells from the testes of newborn mice. The testes were not mature enough to create sperm. These cells were placed in gelatinous goo filled with stuff to nourish and grow the cells. About a month later the team found a key protein used in the development of sperm and actual sperm soon followed.

The team then extracted the sperm and through in vitro fertilization, fertilized an egg and transplanted it to a female mouse. Healthy offspring were born and they in turn had healthy and normal offspring.

The same team confirmed earlier that this tissue can be frozen and thawed without damage.

It’s a breakthrough which is keenly important for young, prepubescent boys who have cancer and undergo chemotherapy. Almost always they are left infertile by the process. Since these boys are unable to produce sperm, freezing a sperm sample for future use in reproduction is not an option for them. With this kind of technique, a sample of their testicular tissue would be enough to give them a hope of biological parenthood.

Source: New Scientist, LA Times