Male infertility is a problem that affects 1 in 6 people, with male factors responsible for 50% of cases. For this reason, science is trying to find new solutions to help couples who wish to have children. A team of researchers led by Dr. Nitzan Gonen took a step forward in this regard, creating mini-testes in the laboratory from testicular cells of newborn mice.
It goes hand in hand with the development of one some time ago artificial sperm.
The Testis Organoids project
The Testis Organoids project was started at Bar-Ilan University, Israel, with the goal of studying male fertility and developing new therapies that address the problem.
The mini testes created in the project are capable of producing functioning sperm. To develop them, researchers grew cells in laboratories and then grew them into a three-dimensional structure, similar to that of natural testicles. Here you will find all the details on the research.
A step forward for male fertility
The creation of mini testicles in the laboratory represents an important step forward for male fertility. The discovery could help solve infertility problems such as lack of sperm or their poor quality. Furthermore, the mini testicles could also be used for study purposes, in search of causes and new ways of treatment.
Of course, there is still work to be done: researchers will have to verify whether mini testicles are capable of producing functioning sperm in humans, and whether these sperm can be used to fertilize an egg. It will also be necessary to study any side effects and associated risks, but research continues throughout the world.
And soon he won't be “infertile”.
Research on the topic of in vitro testes in the last 15 years:
- Hwang, Y., et al. (2020). “Reconstitution of prospermatogonial specification in vitro from human induced pluripotent stem cells.” Nature Communications. Link to the article
- Jeon, H.L., et al. (2017). “Development of a Test Method for the Evaluation of DNA Damage in Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells” – Link to the article
- Lancaster, M. A., & Knoblich, J. A. (2014). “Organogenesis in a dish: modeling development and disease using organoid technologies.” Science. Link to the article
- Ogawa, T., et al. (2011). “Spermatogonial stem cells and in vitro spermatogenesis” Biology of Reproduction. Link to the article
These scientific articles provide further information on the techniques used for the generation of organoids and the replication of the spermatogenesis process in vitro, as well as the potential therapeutic applications of these discoveries.
