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Of Men (and Pigs and Goats) in Mice?

From New York, New York.

Correspondence to: Susan Kerr, JD, MPH, PhD, 755 South Settlers Circle, Warrington, PA 18976 (e-mail: bernal{at}erols.com).

Received for publication September 4, 2002; accepted for publication September 4, 2002.

In the absence of this knowledge, the still-nascent field of ART is eager to better and comprehensively unravel the working of testis function. However, to do so and be successful, an in vitro model was the elusive ideal, until now.

Honaramooz et al¹ recently reported in the August 15, 2002, issue of Nature complete spermatogenesis in newborn mouse, pig, and goat testis tissue after being grafted into castrated immunodeficient mouse hosts. The sperm generated from fresh, refrigerated, and cryopreserved grafts, for each species, were viable and able to fertilize mouse oocytes. The authors note 4 immediate uses for this procedure. First, they suggest testis tissue preservation as superior to sperm preservation because of the possibility for limitless male gametes. More specifically, the authors suggest this technique may benefit cancer patients who once relied on autologous germ cell transplantation by reducing or eliminating the risk of transmitting tumor cells because fresh gametes are produced. Next, the increased propagation of endangered species and valuable livestock might also result by facilitating sperm production from immature males. And finally, having a mouse host provides the once elusive in vitro model essential for future research on testis function and germ cell development.

While helping cancer patients protect their fertility, preserving endangered species, and escalating the reproductive capacity of certain livestock are admirable endeavors, the true value of this breakthrough lies in the increased potential for a better understanding of testis function and germ cell development. Such research will hopefully lead to remedies and treatments for infertility in men, with no possibility of its arising in subsequent generations. At least then, part of the debate about tracking deformities and malfunctions in ART offspring will be silenced, guarding the children's future and their privacy.

Footnotes

^* Journal of Andrology welcomes letters to the editor regarding "Forum" articles and other ethical and legal issues of interest in your own practice or research. We also invite you to suggest topics that deserve attention in future issues. Papers appearing in this section are not considered primary research reports and are thus not subjected to peer review. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome, and will be reviewed and edited by the Section Editor. All submissions should be sent to the Journal of Andrology Editorial Offices.

References

¹ Honaramooz A, Snedaker A, Boiani M, Schöler H, Dobrinski I, Schlatt S. Sperm from neonatal mammalian testes grafted in mice. Nature. 2002;418:778 -781.[Medline]

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