Successfully developed artificial sperms that have good fertilization such as 'real things' by stem cells

This study has been widely regarded as a major step forward in in vitro fertilization methods, especially in the context that about 15% of couples in the world are in a situation where they cannot have children. .

Scientists at Nanjing Medical University (China) have successfully developed artificial sperm capable of fertilizing like real sperm thanks to stem cell method. The research team experimented with fertilizing the mice with this special sperm, resulting in the success they expected.

In fact, the first artificial sperm cells in the lab were created by Cornell University biologists (Icatha, New York) in 2014, but the cells were still unable to function with full Functional enough as real sperm. However, this study has developed a " gold standard" for later studies of artificial sperm - "gold standard" based on the complicated process of sperm formation called birth. fine. After the Nanjing research group was published, one of three authors of the "gold standard" - genetics professor John Schimenti - said: "I was really surprised that many colleagues went far. So in completing what we are still doing. "

Picture 1 of Successfully developed artificial sperms that have good fertilization such as 'real things' by stem cells
The research team tested fertilization of mice with this special sperm.

Going back to the new study, Chinese scientists claim that their sperm cells are not yet a complete cell because they do not have a tail and stop at the pre-sperm level, which makes they cannot swim like "real versions". Therefore, the research team had to use in vitro fertilization to test the fertilization function of this "artificial version" .

If you want to follow the "gold standard" , scientists prove that their artificial sperm retains certain characteristics through each stage of development, such as the full number of chromosomes or have a percentage of DNA that is suitable for donors. This is not easy, even attempts to control the division of cells that determine gender are failing. A member of the research team, Professor Jiahao Sha, said: "We may have become the first to carefully monitor the process of sperm cell division in response to" the gold standard. "of this problem".

To create this groundbreaking sperm cell , the scientists took embryonic stem cells from male mice and exposed them to a chemical called cykotine to convert these embryonic cells successfully . primordial germ - a type of cell that determines the sex of the next sex cell is egg or sperm . Then, they are placed next to artificial tissue cells that resemble male testicular tissue to expose them to male testosterone. From there, germ cells will grow into sperm cells as we know them.

Picture 2 of Successfully developed artificial sperms that have good fertilization such as 'real things' by stem cells
Scientists hope this technique will help limit the consequences of infertility problems in men today.

Although only successful when tested in mice, scientists hope this technique will help limit the consequences of infertility problems in men today. For example, just a skin tissue of infertile patients, doctors can develop a pre-sperm cell with full fertility as normal. This study has been widely regarded as a big step forward for in vitro fertilization methods that are becoming more and more common today, especially in the context of about 15% of couples in the world. The world is in a situation where it is impossible to have children.

The problem that the research team as well as other genetic experts want to dig deeper into stem cell technology is morality. If science can create a complete individual from tissue and cells in the laboratory, from a social perspective, how many people will agree that this "artificial product" will be eligible. to be treated like a normal person? This is a question that is not easy to answer from activists on social ethics or from scientific researchers, we can only wait for the time to answer everything.