British scientists claim breakthrough in ending male infertility

Jul 8, 2009, 8:12 GMT

London - Scientists in Britain have claimed a breakthrough that could end male infertility by creating human sperm in the laboratory, according to a report in the journal Stem Cells and Development Wednesday.

The researchers at Newcastle University in northern England claim that they have produced fully mature, functional cells, grown from stem cells from a male embryo, which they call In-Vitro Derived (IVD) sperm.

But other experts have cast doubt on the claim, arguing that the cells did not constitute 'authentic' sperm with all the necessary biological characteristics.

Professor Karim Nayernia, who led the research at Newcastle University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute (Nesci), said the cells were observed 'to split and divide and then eventually push out a tail and begin to move.'

'This understanding could help us develop new ways to help couples suffering infertility so they can have a child which is genetically their own,' he wrote.

The development would lead to a better understanding of why infertility happened in men, and what caused it.

However, other experts commenting on the work expressed doubt about what had been achieved.

Allen Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield, said: 'As a sperm biologist of 20 years' experience, I am unconvinced from the data presented in this paper that the cells produced ... can be accurately called 'spermatozoa'.'

Professor Azim Surani, from Cambridge University, added: 'These sperm-like cells made in a dish from embryonic stem cells are a long way from being authentic sperm cells.'