Differentiation of Germ Cells from Stem Cells-A Review

Embryonic stem (ES) cells possess unlimited self-renewal capacity and developmental potential to differentiate into virtually any cell type of an organism. ES cells can differentiate under appropriate in vitro and in vivo conditions into different cell types. Embryonic stem cell-derived gametes could find several applications in animal breeding and assisted reproductive technology. One of the most common causes of male infertility is abnormal germ cell differentiation leading to azoospermia or oligospermia. In females, the most common cause of infertility involves ovulatory dysfunction. The emergence of techniques allowing the in vitro derivation of both germ cells and mature gametes will allow investigations into processes guiding germ cell formation and into academic and therapeutic uses for these fascinating cells. Producing germ cells in vitro would open important new avenues for regenerative medicine, and obtaining alternative sources of pluripotent stem cells is desirable. Advances in stem cell research have opened new perspectives for regenerative and reproductive medicine.