The saying “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” may need to be altered—considering the next step in genetic development and treatment for men started with animals.
According to a recent report from The Daily Mail, Israeli scientists have announced for the first time that they’ve grown artificial mice testicles in a petri dish. The purpose of the lab-grown testicles is rooted in infertility treatments for men. Dr. Nitzan Gonen of Bar-Ilan University has been responsible for leading the development of the artificial testicles onsite at the universities nanotechnology building.
Scientists grow world's first artificial TESTICLES in a lab in a potential breakthrough https://t.co/Li7HtkJ89a pic.twitter.com/SLpsocPn5R
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) February 19, 2024
Even though the mouse g##### are not yet fully functional sperm-producing organs, they do have many of the same structures and genetic characteristics as human male testicles. And scientists intend to genetically engineer the lab-grown organs to produce artificial sperm to help study research which suggested that environmental pollutants in impact male fertility.
Believe it or not, some of these factors and or pollutants could be affecting men as early as their toddler years as chemicals in children’s have been linked to possible fertility issues. Statistically, fertility problems affect 10 to 15 percent of men, and plays at a role in half of conception issues among couples.
Gonen says the goal is to eventually engineer a pair of artificial human testicles to further research sperm production.
“We plan to create human t##### organoids and explore whether a sperm can be generated there,” Gonen said.