Israel Bar-Ilan University researchers have successfully grown artificial testicles in a laboratory, which could reduce male infertility.
The research results were published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences . The testicles were created using cells extracted from mouse testicles, similar to the structure and function of natural testicles.
According to Dr Nitzan Gonen, who led the study, scientists could use artificial testicles to learn more about the causes of infertility. In addition, they could aim to grow human-like testicles from human stem cells, helping to treat infertility and disorders of sex development.
Currently, hospitals are able to identify some of the problems that cause infertility in men, such as low sperm counts or structural abnormalities, Dr. Gonen said. However, scientists do not fully understand what causes this, what genetic mutations lead to it, or what happened during the reproductive process before. From the new research, experts can learn more about the testicles using the model system that scientists have produced.
Tubular structures in testes formed within 14 days in a lab dish. Photo: SWNS
The testicles produce about 1,500 sperm per second, about 90,000 sperm per minute, 5.4 million per hour, and 130 million sperm per day. The testicles continuously make sperm through a process called spermatogenesis.
In addition, the testicles also participate in the production of testosterone, an important hormone in the development and maturation of men, helping to create muscles, making their voices deeper and growing body hair. Each person will have a different number of sperm. An average ejaculation contains from 40 to 130 million sperm.
The team is now investigating whether the artificial testicles can actually produce sperm cells and sex hormones such as testosterone. This premise is based on the fact that the testicles of mice grown in the lab functioned well for nine weeks. In theory, this is enough time to produce sperm and secrete hormones, which normally takes about 34.5 days.
Thuc Linh (According to NY Post )
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