| Considering the self-renewal and differentiation ability of pluripotent stem cells, some
studies have pointed out the possibility of stem cell-derived sperm production. Most studies
that test this hypothesis have been conducted on rodents, with some promising results;
however, studies on humans are progressing slowly, and have encountered technical and
ethical hurdles. Established methods to differentiate stem cells—including embryoid bodies,
co-culturing, and various feeder cells—may provide a niche that is similar to in vivo
conditions and resolve epigenetic abnormalities, but a gonadal-like three-dimensional
structure is still required to produce germ cells with the correct imprinting. In the last few
years, sperm-like cells with fertilizing capacity were produced from mouse embryonic stem
cells, and the resulting embryos from these cells yielded live offspring. Future research
should move towards the use of adult stem cells, however, owing to the unavailability of
embryonic cells in adults. More intensive research and techniques are required since in vitro
spermatogenesis provides hope to individuals without mature sperm who cannot be treated,
and may be a useful system to study the precise mechanism of spermatogenesis. In this
review, we describe recent studies of in vitro spermatogenesis mechanisms and related
techniques in mammals. We also discuss the possible cell surface markers and culture
conditions that might improve in vitro spermatogenesis. |