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Fertility breakthrough as scientists successfully grow working ‘testicles in a dish’

Scientists say the development could be used to help child cancer patients in future

BALLSY boffins have grown testicles in the laboratory for the first time, which could help to solve male infertility.

The organoids — tiny, artificial organs — took nine weeks to grow and scientists say they are showing signs of being able to produce sperm.

Scientists have successfully grown testicle organoids (pictured) in a laboratory for the first time
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Scientists have successfully grown testicle organoids (pictured) in a laboratory for the first time
The breakthrough could help solve male infertility and allow childhood cancer patients to have children in later life
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The breakthrough could help solve male infertility and allow childhood cancer patients to have children in later lifeCredit: Cheli Lev

The experts reckon the research could also help to figure out how we become male or female.

And the technique of growing the organoids could be harnessed in future to allow samples to be taken from child cancer patients to allow them to have kids later in life, they said.

Cells used to grow the lab testicles were taken from baby mice.

But Dr Nitzan Gonen, who led the study at Israel's Bar-Ilan University, hopes her team will one day be able to grow human versions.

Read more on fertility

She said: "Artificial testicles are a promising model for research into disorders of sexual development and infertility."

Around one in 14 British men are affected by infertility and half of fertility issues in couples are caused by the man, research shows.

The testicles produce and store sperm and any damage to them can affect the quality of semen, increasing the risk of infertility.

This can be caused by an infection in the testicles, testicular cancer, surgery, problems you’re born with, undescended testicles or an injury.

The study, published in the , showed it is possible to produce artificial testicles in the lab for the first time.

EARLY SUCCESS 

The research team realised the procedure was a success when they found the cells were organising in a similar way to how testes form in the womb.

The organoids were successfully cultured in the lab for nine weeks. 

This is considered a long period and can, theoretically, be enough time to complete the process of sperm production and hormone secretion.

Artificial testicles are a promising model for research into disorders of sexual development and infertility

Dr Nitzan GonenBar-Ilan University

In mice, this takes 34 days, so the relatively long lifespan of the organoids may allow these processes to occur in vitro. 

Dr Gonen said the team has already noticed signs of the beginning of meiosis, a process in which sperm is produced.

Male Infertility: The Most Common Causes

How common is male infertility and what are it's causes?

The testicles produce and store sperm.

If they're damaged, it can seriously affect the quality of your semen.

This can happen as a result of:

  • An infection of your testicles
  • Testicular cancer
  • Testicular surgery
  • A problem with your testicles you were born with (a congenital defect)
  • When 1 or both testicles have not descended into the scrotum (the loose sac of skin that contains your testicles (undescended testicles))
  • Injury to your testicles

It is estimated that up to 7% of men are affected by infertility and 50% of fertility problems within a heterosexual couple are due to the man.

Source:

The testicles produce and store sperm and any damage to them can affect the quality of semen
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The testicles produce and store sperm and any damage to them can affect the quality of semenCredit: Cheli Lev
Around one in 14 British men are affected by infertility
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Around one in 14 British men are affected by infertilityCredit: Cheli Lev
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