Stem Cells, a
controversial topic, has been said to create various cells, like liver cells to
actual live tissue. According to a recent study these adaptable cells were
even used to make fertile mouse sperm, which raises the question of whether
stem cell technology can be a major factor in the treatment of human
infertility. Two different stem cells were altered into ‘viable’ mouse egg
cells, ultimately yielding healthy products (baby mice). The proposed study was
published online under ‘October 4 in Science’.
Researcher Katsuhiko Hayashi, at Kyoto University’s School of Medicine used
embryonic stem cells to create the eggs as well as ‘pluripotent stem cells’.
Female embryonic stem cells were converted, genetically, to relapse into an
earlier developmental stage, which the team decided to do first. Gonadal
somatic cells were combined with the previous cells to create “reconstituted
ovaries.” “Our system serves as a robust foundation to investigate and further
reconstitute female germline development in vitro,” the researchers
noted in their paper, “not only in mice, but also in other mammals, including
humans” (Hayashi).
* Information obtained at www.scientificamerican.com
* Pictures obtained at www.scientificamerican.com
Figure 12.1
Figure 12.2
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