Potentially leading to a revolution in fertility therapy, certain human bone marrow cells have shown the ability to differentiate into sperm stem cells according to a new study.
Researchers managed to encourage mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to differentiate into reproductive cells, known as germ cells. The study was led by Professor Karim Nayernia of Newcastle University in the UK.
The cells could be used to produce eggs and sperm for patients suffering from infertility since they are a new source of female and male germ cells.
But there is a challenge when it comes to encouraging the cells to mature fully say researchers.
“In the long term the aim would be to isolate these stem cells from a patient and then bring them back to the same patient after differentiation to try to treat infertility,” said Nayernia.
He explained that the research could potentially restore patient