New Treatment For Low Sperm Count: Genetic Key To Replenishment Found, Stem Cells Cures Male Infertility

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A research at Kyoto University by Kanatsu-Shinohara et al has found that it is the Myc genes in the stem cells to help in their self-renewal. In the spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) too, the Myc gene helps in the production of sperms. "These findings could have important implications for infertility research in the future," says Shinohara.

In a healthy adult male body, sperms replenish themselves constantly. However, with age, male fertility diminishes as SSCs' ability for self-renewal slows down. The study demonstrated how the Myc gene regulates the self-renewal of these SSCs by the process of glycolysis control.

According to the NCBI, glycolysis is the process by which cells generate energy. Impaired glycolysis means that the cells are not able to produce sufficient energy which, in turns, compromises their capacity for self-renewal.

Scientists injected two types of SSCs into mouse testes: normal cells, and SSCs in which Myc gene was suppressed. It was observed that in the latter case, the process of glycolysis was impaired and the cell cycle for self-renewal slowed down considerably.

The testing was done on two types of mice - DBA/2 and B6. It was seen that the glycolysis was more active in the cells of DBA/2 mice. However, when the cells of B6 mice were treated certain chemicals that enhanced the glycolysis process, the metabolism of their SSCs got stimulated and the number of sperms they produced improved considerably.

According to Deccan Chronicle, besides establishing a critical link between Myc genes and glycolysis in SSC self-renewal, the study also found that the deficiency of Foxol (which regulates Myc) impairs the process of sperm replenishment in men too. 

The study on the genetic key to sperm replenishment can be of invaluable help in male infertility treatment, especially in men with low sperm count. The paper is highly cited in scientific journals, probably because it is the first paper to show the derivation of embryonic stem-like cells from animals that have already been born.

Experts believe that further research on the subject may help us in deriving multi-potent germline stem cells or mGS cells without any genetic treatment for human testes too.