Many people regard childbirth as one of the most extraordinary, memorable and life changing experience in their lives. Unfortunately, for reasons not yet known to scientists, childbirth is physically impossible for people suffering from infertility.
It is known that from a human embryonic stem cell, develops a type of primordial germ cell called germline stem cells which are set aside during development of the embryo. When the baby is born, these germline stem cells form gonocytes, and then adult male sperm stem cells which have the ability to produce sperm cells.
Their research also showed that while male embryonic stem cells, carrying XY chromosomes, were able to perform meiosis and mature into adult sperm cells, they were unable to do so with female embryonic stem cells, concluding that the genes in the Y chromosome may play an integral part in allowing for successful cell division and subsequent development into functional adult sperm cells.
UK scientists have announced that they have developed a way to mimic the conditions in which this development from human embryonic stem cell to male sperm stem cells occurs. They are hoping that their research will allow for better understanding of the cause of infertility and possibly new forms of treatment.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156730.php
Shu-Ying Chang 41798261
Tutor: PW
