Sperm - source: wik

(Best Syndication News) Scientists in the United Kingdom say they have created new sperm cells from embryonic stem cells (ESC). The research could lead to more than a solution for male infertility, but could also help explain why children with leukemia later become infertile and explanations to other genetic abnormalities (see video below).

In the July 8th 2009 academic journal Stem Cells and Development, Professor Karim Nayernia and colleagues at the Newcastle University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) report that they have created human sperm in the laboratory. This will lead to a better understanding of “infertility in men” and the effect of toxins on reproduction.

It has been observed that young boys with leukemia become sterile later in life. This new research could lead to a “solution”. We may also have a better understanding of how genetic diseases are passed on.

The team says they will not use the sperm cells to fertilize human eggs for two reasons:

1) UK Law Prohibits it

2) There is no scientific reason to do so

How Did They Do It?

Embryologic stem cells were cultured in a medium containing a vitamin A derivative (retinoic acid). The cells began to differentiate into germline stem cells. Using green fluorescent staining (FACSTM - Fluorescence-activated cell sorting) they began sorting those with the expressed protein.

They went further and differentiated the stem cells with expressed markers which are specific to primordial germ cells, spermatogonial stem cells, meiotic (spermatocytes) and post meiotic germ cells (spermatids and sperm).

The final product, called IVD (In Vitro Derived) sperm, was the result of the maturation of primordial germ cells to haploid male gametes. They contained half a chromosome set (23 chromosomes).

Stem cells with female XX chromosomes formed early stage sperm, spermatagonia, but did not progress further. This proved that genes on the Y chromosome are essential for meiosis and for sperm maturation.

By Jeffrey Workman