Researchers in Yokohama City University successfully made rat sperm and used it to produce breed. It is a development that might help barren men in the future.
The sperm is grown outside the rat body by using tissue, which consists of sperm stem cells. It is called spermagonia and taken from rat’s babies. Those Japan researchers then tried to develop the cells into sperm by using chemical materials that imitate the natural environment, where they normally grow.
That mixed chemical materials fluid is called knock out serum replacement (KSR). This formula is used to make sure that the stem cells don’t change. Here, Takehiko Ogawa, urology professor from Japan found the opposite effect. He and his partners found out that spermagonia changed into mature sperm.
“We haven’t got the key factor that makes the KSR works that way yet,” said Ogawa. “This becomes our next challenge. We’ll determine the factor and make a better medium to develop high quality of sperm,” he continued.
This research result proves that there is a hope for barren men and boys who are undergoing chemotherapy. “When people are treated because of cancer, there is a big possibility of infertility,” said Martin Dym, biochemical professor from Georgetown University.
In mature men, according to Dym that not join in the studio, the sperm can be frozen before the treatment. “In children, we cannot do it. But they have testis cell. If we can develop it, they can be used to create fertilization outside the uterus,” Dym explained more.
Nevertheless, the health consequence of creating sperm outside the body still needs to be concerned. Steve Krawetz, midwifery and gynecology professor from Wayne State University, said that sperm making from stem cells can produce DNA changes, which make the cells susceptible to various environment factors. “Those changes can cause bad effects and derived in the next generation,” said Krawetz.
Nevertheless, Krawetz admitted that this system is fantastic. “This is a big step forward,” he said.
Equipped with weapon form long and scary teeth, Tiarajudens eccentricus turns out a vegetarian. Tiarajudens eccentricus not only has a pair of long teeth, but also the teeth that scattered in the palate of this big teeth mammal’s ancestor. According to the researcher, those teeth can replace the losing teeth quickly, just like on shark.
