A report published in the journal Stem Cells and Research, detailed the work of the University. The authors wrote:
'Understanding the mechanisms of germ cell specification, development and its differentiation to sperm is important for elucidating the causes of male infertility. Here, we developed an in vitro strategy for establishing of male GSCs from human embryonic stem cells.'
To put that in plain English, they grew sperm from the stem cells of embryos.
From the moment of conception, primordial germ cells are present, which can potentially form into anything they like. These germ cells can be manipulated to grow into any type of cell, for instance, cells which form the heart muscle, just by copying the process of early embryo development. Germ cells can, therefore, be used to make sperm cells.
Cells From Male Embryos
The scientists extracted stem cells from male embryos (containing the XY chromosome) and added them to a specially formulated vitamin A solution to encourage them to grow. The new stem cells which grew had all the markers of fully mature sperm.
They tried the same technique using female embryos, by removing germ cells containing XX chromosome, but found that they could only develop very early stage sperm which would then not grow any further.
New Hope For Infertile Couples?
The new stem cell therapy is being hailed as a possible answer to male factor infertility and a solution for those who are infertile as a result of cancer treatment. Professor Karim Nayernia at the University of Newcastle, said
"This understanding (of germ cell development) could help us develop new ways to help couples suffering infertility so they can have a child which is genetically their own."
He didn't say how this would be achieved, as presumably you would need stem cells from a genetically related embryo in order to grow the sperm and if the couple had an embryo already, surely they wouldn't need the technique?
For future generations who might have their own stem cells banked at birth (taken from the umbilical cord), this may provide an opportunity if they later encounter fertility problems.
The new sperm created would not be used in infertility treatments and in fact, this is against the law. The primary function of the experiment at this time is for research.
Source: Karim Nayernia, Jae Ho Lee, Majlinda Lako, Lyle Armstrong, Mary Herbert, Manyu Li, Wolfgang Engel, David Elliott, Miodrag Stojkovic, John Parrington, Alison Murdoch, Tom Strachan, Xin Zhang. Stem Cells and Development. -Not available-, ahead of print. doi:10.1089/scd.2009.0063.
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