RSS Feeds

Earth Science

Space Science

Life Science

Fields of Scientific Study

Nanotechnology

Cancer

Definitions of The Fields of Scientific Study

Sperm created in the laboratory from embryonic stem cells produce viable progeny

July 12, 2006

Scientists have demonstrated for the first time that embryonic stem (ES) cells cultured in the laboratory can produce sperm with the capacity to produce viable offspring. The research, published in the July issue of Developmental Cell, opens many exciting avenues for future studies, including investigation of mechanisms involved in sperm production and development of new treatment strategies for infertility.

Previous studies have shown that ES cells grown in the laboratory can differentiate into primordial germ cells that then give rise to cells resembling mature egg and sperm cells, known as gametes. However, the functionality of the gametes has not been thoroughly tested and many questions about the viability of these cells remain unanswered. Dr. Karim Nayernia and Dr. Wolfgang Engel from the Institute of Human Genetics at the University of Goettingen in Goettingen, Germany and colleagues developed a new strategy for generating mature sperm cells in the laboratory using ES cells from mice and went on to test the functionality of the ES-derived sperm.

ES cells were treated with specific factors know to direct sperm production and screened for characteristics associated with primordial and spermatagonial stem cells. The researchers demonstrated that these cells could be further differentiated into mature sperm in the laboratory or could be transplanted into the testes of mice where they retained the capacity develop into sperm. Intra-cytoplasmic injection of the ES-derived sperm into mouse eggs resulted in successful fertilization and the resulting early stage embryos were successfully transplanted into mice. Six of the seven mice born developed into adult mice.

The results of this study establish that the ES cell derived cell lines can produce functional sperm in the laboratory which can be used to successfully fertilize eggs and support full-term development into embryos and adult mice. "Our approach provides an accessible in vitro model system for studies of mammalian gametogenesis, as well as for developing new strategies for generation of transgenic mice and may one day facilitate nuclear transfer technology and infertility treatment," offers Dr. Nayernia.

Cell Press

Related Sperm Current Events and Sperm News Articles

Sperm Current Events and Sperm News RSS

Scientists Unravel Evolution of Highly Toxic Box Jellyfish
With thousands of stinging cells that can emit deadly venom from tentacles that can reach ten feet in length, the 50 or so species of box jellyfish have long been of interest to scientists and to the public. Yet little has been known about the evolution of this early branch in the animal tree of life.

Chromosomes dance and pair up on the nuclear membrane
Meiosis - the pairing and recombination of chromosomes, followed by segregation of half to each egg or sperm cell - is a major crossroads in all organisms reproducing sexually.

A motley collection of boneworms
It sounds like a classic horror story-eyeless, mouthless worms lurk in the dark, settling onto dead animals and sending out green "roots" to devour their bones.

For young boys with cancer, testicular tissue banking may be option to preserve fertility
For parents of children with cancer, the hopeful news is that pediatric survival rates have steadily improved for decades. Among the bad news-treatments that enable survival often cause infertility.

Calm before the spawn: Climate change and coral spawning
What's the point of setting up marine reserves to protect coral reefs from pollution, ship groundings and overfishing if climate change could cause far more damage? A study published this week in London in Proceedings of the Royal Society B provides the answer.

NIH-funded researchers transform embryonic stem cells into human germ cells
Researchers funded in part by the National Institutes of Health have discovered how to transform human embryonic stem cells into germ cells, the embryonic cells that ultimately give rise to sperm and eggs.

Whales are polite conversationalists
What do a West African drummer and a sperm whale have in common? According to some reports, they can both spot rhythms in the chatter of an ocean crowded with the calls of marine mammals -- a feat impossible for the untrained human ear.

Researchers discover mechanism that prevents two species from reproducing
Cornell researchers have discovered a genetic mechanism in fruit flies that prevents two closely related species from reproducing, a finding that offers clues to how species evolve.

A solution to Darwin's 'mystery of the mysteries' emerges from the dark matter of the genome
Biological species are often defined on the basis of reproductive isolation. Ever since Darwin pointed out his difficulty in explaining why crosses between two species often yield sterile or inviable progeny (for instance, mules emerging from a cross between a horse and a donkey), biologists have struggled with this question.

Testicular tumors may explain why some diseases are more common in children of older fathers
A rare form of testicular tumour has provided scientists with new insights into how genetic changes (mutations) arise in our children.

More Sperm Current Events and Sperm News Articles

	Semenax Orgasm Volumizer- Semen Increaser- 90 Capsules by Leading Edge Herbals Do you value your sex life & health? Then take this seriously, because it's the key to high sexual potency & excellent reproductive health for the rest of your life. It's the brand new Semenax formula -- now with Swedish Pollen Extract. You probably know that Semenax has always been a super-effective natural way to boost your "output" -- that is, to dramatically increase the amount you ejaculate during sex. That means better orgasms, a more impressive load of semen & improved fertility. Based on dozens of scientific studies, Semenax now has Swedish pollen extract, the ingredient PROVEN to protect your valuable sexual goods and give you the BEST sex ever! Swedish pollen extract is best known for increasing the number of contractions you have during orgasm so the climax feels stronger &...
	Sperm Wars: Infidelity, Sexual Conflict, and Other Bedroom Battles by Robin Baker (Author) Published to acclaim and controversy a decade ago, Sperm Wars is a revolutionary thesis about sex that turned centuries-old biological assumptions on their head. Evolution has programmed men to conquer and monopolize women while women, without ever knowing they are doing it, seek the best genetic input on offer from potential sexual partners. In this book, best-selling author Robin Baker reveals these new facts of life: ten percent of children are not fathered by their "fathers;" less than one percent of a man’s sperm is capable of fertilizing anything (the rest is there to fight off all other men’s sperm); "smart" vaginal mucus encourages some sperm but blocks others; and a woman is far more likely to conceive through a casual fling than through sex with her regular...
	PreConceive: A Male Fertility Sperm Test by Embryotech Could low sperm concentration be hindering your ability to conceive? Find out in the privacy of your own home with the PreConceive Male Fertility Test. The PreConceive Fertility Test is an easy-to-use screening test to measure your sperm concentration. The test determines whether your sperm concentration is above or below 20 million sperm cells per milliliter. Two test results with sperm concentration less than 20 million/mL can alert you to possible male fertility issues. The FertilMARQ Home Test works by staining the cells in a sperm sample to produce a color. The intensity of this color is then compared to a color reference on the FertilMARQ test cassette. The color comparison will tell you whether the sperm concentration in the test sample is above or below 20 million/mL. You can...
	Giant Microbes Sperm Cell (Spermatozoon) Plush [Toy] by Giant Microbes Our little man's man is the stuff of legends. You can bank on it. GIANTmicrobes(R) Original (5-7" plush doll)
	Sperm Wars: The Science of Sex by Robin Baker (Author) This controversial new view of human sexuality has stimulated heated debate around the world by suggesting that much of our sexual behavior is driven by imperatives hard-wired into us through an evolutionary competition the author calls "the sperm war". Robin Baker contends that sex, for humans, is a battleground upon which an unconscious evolutionary conflict takes place.
	Butts Full of Nut Watch these sluts get covered in cum and love every minute of it! Due to local laws we do not ship to the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee or Utah. By buying this item you agree, under the penalties of perjury, that you are at least 21 years of age. That you are not a city, county, state or official federal law enforcement officer, foreign official, or inspector for the U.S. Postal Service, ordering merchandise as evidence for the prosecution of or harassment of any individual or organization. That you wish to view X-rated movies.
	Semenax (90 Caps) Sperm Production Booster - Orgasm Volumizer by Leading Edge Herbals Increase semen production quickly and safely using Semenax natural semen supplement. Increases semen production up to 500% and provides more intense, longer lasting orgasm. Powerful climaxes and dramatically more semen volume are just part of what you'll experience with this top rated semen volume enhancer.
	Sperm Biology by Tim R. Birkhead (Editor), Dave J. Hosken (Editor), Scott S. Pitnick (Editor) This book represents the first analysis of the evolutionary significance of sperm phenotypes and derived sperm traits and the possible selection pressures responsible for sperm-egg coevolution. An understanding of sperm evolution is fast developing and promises to shed light on many topics from basic reproductive biology to the evolutionary process itself as well as the sperm proteome, the sperm genome and the quantitative genetics of sperm. The Editors have identified 15 topics of current interest and biological significance to cover all aspects of this bizarre, fascinating and important subject. It comprises the most comprehensive and up to date review of the evolution of sperm, and pointers for future research, written by experts in both sperm biology and evolutionary biology. ...
	Ejaculoid 1 Bottle 60 Pills Semen/Orgasm Volumizer Like Ogoplex by Goliath Labs, Inc. Ejaculoid the strongest non-prescription male enhancement supplement available. Increase Stamina Easier Erections Boost Testosterone Shorten Recovery Time Increase Pleasure
	Sperm Counts: Overcome by Man's Most Precious Fluid (Intersections: Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Genders and Sexualities) by Lisa Moore (Author) 2007 Choice Outstanding Academic Title Winner of the Passing the Torch Award from the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies It has been called sperm, semen, seed, cum, jizz, spunk, gentlemen's relish, and splooge. But however the "tacky, opaque liquid that comes out of the penis" is described, the very act of defining "sperm" and "semen" depends on your point of view. For Lisa Jean Moore, how sperm comes to be known is based on who defines it (a scientist vs. a defense witness, for example), under what social circumstances it is found (a doctor's office vs. a crime scene), and for what purposes it will be used (in vitro fertilization vs. DNA analysis). Examining semen historically, medically, and culturally, Sperm Counts is a penetrating exploration of its meaning and...