a new development in fertility treatment — scientistshave successfully produced early-stage sperm cells from the skin cells of infertile men. according to the study, stanford universityresearchers took skin cells from infertile men, turned them into stem cells known asinduced pluripotent stem cells and then implanted those cells in the tubules of mice testes.(via flickr / 7715592@n03, 33852688@n08) before we move forward, you might be wonderinghow scientists turned skin cells back into stem cells. this video from stem cell networksums up the process. "if some adult cell types are taken, grownin plastic dishes and given specific genetic instructions, over time a small number ofthese cells will reverse from their differentiated
state and develop the ability to redifferentiate."(via vimeo / stem cell network) researchers discovered the stem cells developedinto germ cells, the precursor to sperm cells. (via youtube / creekvalleycritters) but while this new development seemingly bodeswell for future fertility treatment, a writer for the guardian points out one major concern. "the cells that lodged in the tubules developedinto early-stage sperm cells, but others turned into small tumours. the danger of causingcancer in the men is one of the major risks that scientists need to overcome." (via theguardian) and livescience reports the research is stillin its infancy, noting even though the stem
cells produced germ cells, they "did not goon to form mature sperm in the mice." the head researcher for the study told livesciencethis is likely because of the "evolutionary differences between humans and mice." despite concerns, nature world news says thisresearch has potential, because there are various uses for the treatment. "there isalso the possibility of using cells from endangered species to help boost their reproduction." according to the american society for reproductivemedicine, about 12 percent of adults suffer from infertility. the study has been publishedin the journal cell reports.
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