human sperm

Scientists successfully synthesize human sperm in a test tube.

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A team of French scientists claim to have successfully synthesized human sperm cells in a test tube. The team from biotechnology start-up Kallistem says they have fully-developed, usable sperm cells in a bioreactor in their lab. Having just submitted their findings for publication, the experiment could potentially be life-changing for infertile males across the globe.


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Lead by Philiippe Durand, Kallistem’s team says they’ve grown mature sperm cells from the germ cells of six infertile men. Simulating spermatogenesis, the team say they have successful runs with cells from rats, monkeys and now humans. Although the trials have been reportedly successful, the details of Kallistem’s process has yet to be divulged, as it has been submitted for publication. The lack of details have other scientists feeling skeptical, but Durand and his team are confident critics will be persuaded once the piece is published.

According to the scientists, the lab-grown sperm cells could greatly help male patients suffering from infertility. As many as 15,000 young men are rendered infertile due to cancer treatments, in addition to another 120,000 who have untreatable infertility. With the scientists’ treatment, these men could viably father their own biological children. The team, who performed the experiments at the Institut de Genomique Fonctionelle, hopes to treat patients in as soon as four years.

 

Chemicals found in common household products may affect human sperm.

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In 1991 a study showed that human sperm counts had fallen by almost 50 percent in less than 50 years, which increased the cases of male infertility due to lower sperm count.

Toothpaste and sunscreen could be two of the reasons why male infertility is on the rise.

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A few years later researchers discovered that common chemicals used in everyday day items such as soap and toothpaste have a negative effect in the male reproductive system – and a new study has found a way of testing the impact of household products on human sperm.
Some chemical substances mimic either male sex hormones or female sex hormones and both interfere with the male reproductive system by slowing down sperm, explains Steve Connor over at the Independent.
The chemicals commonly found in detergents, plastics, toothpaste and even sunscreen also make sperm release enzymes needed to fertilise the egg cell before it reaches it, which may also be a cause of infertility.
In their study the researchers found that these chemicals have what Connor describes as a “cocktail effect”, meaning the presence of one amplifies the effects of others.
“For the first time, we have shown a direct link between exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals from industrial products and adverse effects on human sperm function,” said Professor Niels Skakkebaek, of Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark, to the Independent.
A report from the Centre of Advanced European Studies and Research found that out of 96 common household chemicals, a third had an effect on the protein that controls sperm motility and swimming agility.
“In my opinion, our findings are clearly a concern as some endocrine-disrupting chemicals are possibly more dangerous than previously thought,” said Skkakkebaek. “However, it remains to be seen from forthcoming clinical studies whether our findings may explain reduced couple fertility which is very common in modern society.”
This study is the first one that highlights how common lifestyle or environmental changes affect male fertility.