What is artificial sperm?
sperm are male reproductive cells containing 23 chromosomes - exactly half of the number necessary to create an embryo when it connects to a female reproductive cell or egg. This process is the beginning of fetal development and the beginning of human life. Throughout history, scientists have investigated ways to cure infertility and start this process. Artificial sperm is genetically treated sperm cells made of other types of cells.
The first synthetic sperm was created in 2009 by scientists at the Newcastle University in the UK. Scientists have taken stem cells, the so -called "Blank Cells" from new embryos. Using a mixture of chemicals and vitamins, scientists were able to modify stem cells to replicate the structure of sperm. This artificial sperm was physically identical to biological sperm in terms of structure and movement.
One of every six pairs suffers from infertility and there is a 50 % chance that one of the partner in the infertile ile is physically unable to reproduce. Artificial sperm was created as possibleSolution of male infertility. It is possible for men who were previously considered infertile to the father's children through the creation of these artificial cells.
sperm creation in the laboratory environment carries potential ethical and legal consequences. It is still unclear whether these artificial reproductive cells are strong enough to fertilize female egg cells. Stem cells must be harvested from living embryos, a process that is illegal and controversial around the world in some countries. The argument of whether life begins at birth, conception or at some point in between that it weighs strongly to create artificial semen and is full of religious, political and personal opinions. Because this technology is still new, there are few ethical instructions that prevent abuse or poor handling of viable artifemicial sperm.
Human testing of artificial sperm technology did not occur but scientistsAt the University of Kyota, Japan tested technology on laboratory mice. When the artificial sperm was united with the mouse OVA and implanted into females, the children were transmitted to the term. As the mice were born from synthetic semen, they remained healthy and were able to produce offspring.
technology behind artificial semen, methodology of use and biology of growth is still evolving. Although technology is currently not available to help infertile couples to achieve parenthood, scientists are optimistic for the future. The process used to create synthetic sperm could allow scientists to determine the causes and possible solutions of male infertility.