Combating Male Infertility by Converting Stem Cells into Sperm

Researchers have discovered a way to turn stem cells into sperm, which they say could pave the way for new infertility treatments in the future.Kyoto University researchers successfully converted mouse embryonic stem cells into primordial germ cells (PGCs), the precursors to sperm.

Afterward, the researchers transplanted the PGCs back into male mice that had previously been unable to make sperm. The PGCs grew into sperm, and the mice were then able to impregnate female mice.

Most importantly, the offspring produced following the procedure all appeared to be healthy and normal.

The research team hopes that this same procedure could work with human stem cells derived from adult skin cells in order to treat men who experience infertility issues.

The study was published in the journal Cell.