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Am J Perinatol 2018; 35(10): 925-930
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632367
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Embryonic Stem Cells and Infertility

Nahid Lorzadeh
1   Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
,
Nastaran Kazemirad
2   Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
Further Information

Publication History

29 October 2017

14 January 2018

Publication Date:
28 February 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the ability to differentiate into several cell lineages and self-renew. Through a spontaneous process, ESCs can differentiate into germ cells of various stages, partly due to their self-renewal ability and their microenvironment culture. Human and mouse ESC differentiation into putative primordial germ cells (PGCs) has been demonstrated by several studies; in fact, derivation of functional mouse male gametes has also been reported. However, the exact underlying mechanisms are yet to be understood properly, and as such clinical applications of ESC-derived PGC remains controversial. Nonetheless, this technique can still serve as a potential treatment option for infertility. This review centers on the available reports on the possible application of ESC for infertility treatment.

Keywords

embryonic stem cell - infertility - primordial germ cells - pluripotency - embryoid bodies
 

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