A team of Harvard University has studied the potential of gametogenesis in vitro in the fight against infertility. For the moment, the gametes are the essential ingredients for artificial insemination, whatever the method chosen. New studies on animal models, however, open the door to the creation of sperm and ova in vitro. The hypothetical point of arrival would be the creation of embryos from the skin cells.

The study analyzes the potential of so-called in vitro gametogenesis. Although it is still little more than science fiction, research bodes well for a future human application. If you did, you would have a great weapon in the fight against infertility. The doctors, however, also highlight the possible drift towards eugenics, which always take into account.

Studies in vitro gametogenesis are based on the ability to manipulate stem cells. Take into consideration both the use of embryonic stem cells, both of adult pluripotent stem cells. In the latter case, the stem cells are created from modified epithelial cells. Initial tests on mice have led to the creation in the laboratory of fertilizzabili ova and sperm. The researchers were also able to obtain embryos from the abovementioned stem cells. In these cases, scientists have obtained a first stage of the in vitro gametes and have implanted them in mice, so concludessero maturation before continuing with fertilization.

The science shows that gametogenesis is possible in the mouse models. The creation of a human embryo by means of this technique, however, is much more complex. It involves a large number of practical and ethical factors. On the one hand gametogenesis in vitro it would open the doors of parenting even to those who have their gametes, maybe because of chemotherapy. On the other, the practice still has many unclear implications. One of the darkest points is the possible creation of new genetic errors, not identified by prenatal screening and heritable by future generations.

For the moment, though, all the doors are still open. To have a clearer scenario of what lies ahead, we will still take years of research.

Source: medicalxpress.com