A group such as Kyoto University announced that it succeeded in an experiment using mice to produce sperm that works normally from "ES cells", one of the universal cells that become various cells in the body, only in a test tube. ..
It is expected to lead to the elucidation of the mechanism by which germ cells are produced.
This was revealed by a group of Professor Michinori Saito of the Institute of Advanced Studies, Kyoto University, who held an online press conference.
Until now, when producing sperm from mouse ES cells, it was necessary to first produce "sperm stem cells," which are the source of sperm, and transplant them into the mouse testis.
This time, the group succeeded in producing sperm by culturing "sperm stem cells" prepared from ES cells together with mouse testis tissue in a test tube for about one and a half months.
When the sperm produced was fertilized into a mouse egg, a healthy mouse baby was born, confirming that the sperm work normally.
According to the group, the technology to produce sperm and eggs from ES cells and iPS cells only in a test tube was realized in mouse eggs, but it is the first time for sperms.
Professor Saito said, "I think we have a powerful system for investigating the causes of infertility. It may lead to the elucidation of the mechanism by which germ cells are produced."