Could Skin Cells Help IVF Couples Have Their Own Children?

Could childless couples one day be capable of producing their own sex cells in the hopes of producing their own biological children through an advanced stem cell treatment?

For the study, researchers converted skin cells into "primordial germ cells" that were later developed into mature sperm and eggs--breakthrough research that could potentially pave the way for producing eggs and sperm cells to help infertile couples who are unable to produce their own sex cells for children via in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Researchers at the University of Cambridge in the U.K. created early stage gametes, also known as sex cells, by culturing human embryonic stem cells for close to a week while under strictly-controlled conditions. They also added growth factors to help them properly develop.

During the process, researchers discovered that a gene known as SOX17 was essentially involved when it came to converting the stem cells into primordial germ cells

While further research is needed to see if these cells (the sperm and eggs) could grow into fully developed animals when injected into the ovaries or testes of a mouse model, researchers said they are hopeful that further research on the topic could provide more information on cancer studies on aging. 

"The erasure of epigenetic information ensures that most, if not all, epigenetic mutations are erased, which promotes 'rejuvenation' of the lineage and allows it to give rise to endless generations," said Azim Surani, from the University of Cambridge. "These mechanisms are of wider interest towards understanding age-related diseases."

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Cell.

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