Mouse Sperm Grown In Lab, Considered Viable During Early Testing

Researchers in Israel and Germany have successfully created mouse sperm in a laboratory. Scientists are attempting to find a way in which infertile men could eventually father their own children through the use of artificially created sperm.

To complete the processor researchers took germ cells, the ones found in testicles that are responsible for sperm production and then fashioned a “testicle-like” environment by surrounding the germ cells with agar jelly.

According to one of the researchers who spoke with the Daily Telegraph:

“We were able to produce viable sperm that could have been used to create baby mice. The sperm appeared healthy and were not genetically damaged.”

While the study has not been conducted on humans at this time the researcher goes on to note:

“I believe it will eventually be possible to routinely grow human male sperm to order.”

One proposed process for humans would be to use mice as “hosts” for the human germ cells until such a time that sperm can be produced, a move that would likely outrage animal rights groups and lead to children being called “mice babies” by new agencies looking to capitalize on the unfortunate name.

It should be noted that any viable solution found from this process is likely years away along with who knows how many meetings, arguments and studies needing to be conducted by regulatory committees before the process possibly sees the light of day.

If Mice aren’t already doing enough for us Scientists recently announced that they were able to reverse the aging process in Mice using stem cell shots, a process that will likely receive more attention in the coming months and years ahead.

Would you use mice sperm produced in a lab if it meant getting rid of infertility and allowing you to father a child?

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