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    Japan team produces sperm from mice stem cells

    TOKYO (AP) — A team of scientists has reported producing viable sperm using the stem cells of mice in an experiment that researchers hope could one day lead to treating infertile men.

    The Kyoto University researchers managed to induce mice stem cells into creating sperm precursors, which were transplanted into infertile male mice. The mice then produced sperm that was successfully used to fertilize eggs in a lab dish.

    The offspring were healthy and fertile, according to a paper published online Thursday in the scientific journal Cell.

    Members of the research team, led by Mitinori Saitou, said they believe their success may help in the development of infertility treatments in humans, although they said many hurdles remain.

    "We have high hopes, but it's not that easy," Saitou told the Associated Press by telephone Friday from Kyoto, in western Japan. "There are many difficult issues ahead in applying this to humans. But it is a first step."

    Experts outside the group say it's an important first step toward infertility treatment although there would be a long way.

    "This is a very good experiment for thinking about treatment of infertile man but a very very long way," said Toshio Suda, developmental biology professor at Keio University.

    He said the Kyoto team's findings were great work but it is not easy to prepare the mature sperm cells at present. If some hurdles are cleared, it could successfully identify "which gene is very important to prepare the sperm."

     

    49 comments

    • clint  •  9 mths ago
      Now if Japanese scientists can just figure out how to change the age-of-consent in Japan from 12 (where it is now) to 18 then I'd be impressed.
      • Ben 9 mths ago
        uh...what? Im Japanese and im pretty sure ur information is outdated...
      • First L 9 mths ago
        Regardless of what their age of consent is (definitely not 12) it's none of your concern as Japan has a very low crime rate unlike wherever you are from.
      • O Wow 9 mths ago
        First L - Japan has a low crime rate because it's a very old country where gun control is not an issue (unlike the US).

        You cannot compare the US with Japan about that subject. "If" guns were as available to the Japanese citizens (do you guys even have anything to hunt?), then you would probably see the same amount of crimes in Japan.
    • Faithonly  •  9 mths ago
      Let infertile men stay infertile. Really who needs more human beings in this world? Scientists need to create a solution of overpopulation, not a solution of enabling infertile men to become fertile
      • Dr Smith 9 mths ago
        War is also your friend. That is a great why to reduce "overpopulation". Why do you not go on a killing spree and help solve this problem. Start with your family and friends. Stubid turd eating wobat goat fuking lesbo horbot freak-a-zoid duchebag.
      • Lumpy the Moose 9 mths ago
        Overpopulation is not a problem. Nature will get us with a resistaint strain of TB soon. You must be a brain dead liberal to think this is a problem. Go hump a goat if you what to help. OR chop off your weiner, OR if you are a lady, use superglue to close your hump hole. these great method can help "overpopulation"
    • Roger  •  9 mths ago
      People are going to mess around until they end up with something out of a bad science fiction movie.
      • ME.AGAIN 9 mths ago
        ALREADY HERE. HIS NAME IS NOBALLSAMA.
      • O Wow 9 mths ago
        ME.AGAIN: Grow up and get an education.
    • The Delhi Llaama  •  9 mths ago
      Just think,.....one day you can go to your doctor and get a shot right into your 'Cojones' and get instant sperm.....Thanx Japan, next Robots who can milk cows....
      • Marc 9 mths ago
        I know of another way, that's not quite as painful
    • sk  •  9 mths ago
      This kind of research would be good if we didn't already face a overpopulation crisis. The Japanese especially should know this because of their overcrowded situation. A waste of money when there are so many other pressing issues in the world.
      • blast65 9 mths ago
        Health is a pressing issue. Japanese scientists should be lauded for resolving one piece of the puzzle; there are many to follow.
      • O Wow 9 mths ago
        Sk: The Japanese want more Japanese.
    • Houston  •  9 mths ago
      That's all we need is more fertile mice in the world.
    • miss phenomenal  •  9 mths ago
      of mice and men? creepy.
    • All Hail God or Die  •  9 mths ago
      Japanese people are weird. They might put mice sperm into the woman, for all we know.
    • Lawrence  •  9 mths ago
      That's advancement in Science. The Japanese scientists did a great job. All the trolls here posting comments are idiots and racists.
    • Cranes  •  9 mths ago
      Just what we need: MORE HUMANS.

      No thank you! We have enough.
    • GypsyMom  •  9 mths ago
      Does this mean men are really rats?
    • Beer  •  9 mths ago
      With nearly 7 billion people in the world now why would there be a need for any fertility clinic? Unflattering analogy but,when the fields are full you can't add more stock without starving them all.
    • John M., American  •  9 mths ago
      I think we should be prepared for some really strange looking people.
    • brndle  •  9 mths ago
      why can't they make a brain for onama? it would still be a verry small transplant. like an eyedropper.
    • Paul Kersey  •  9 mths ago
      You have violated the pact.
    • im right as usual  •  9 mths ago
      Think of this story next time you order sushi.
    • Eric1  •  9 mths ago
      Now if they could just figure out how to produce human BRAIN cells from human AS$ cells, there MIGHT be some hope for the Tea Party!
    • Mr. Flibble  •  9 mths ago
      Because the world needs more people.
    • madprofessor  •  9 mths ago
      Actually, Japan is underpopulated with an increasingly aging population so it would make sense for them to explore this area.
    • AndrewH  •  9 mths ago
      Religious people gonna be #$%$
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