Title:Stem Cells as a Resource for Treatment of Infertility-related Diseases
VOLUME: 19 ISSUE: 8
Author(s):Jing Wang, Chi Liu, Masayuki Fujino, Guoqing Tong, Qinxiu Zhang, Xiao-Kang Li* and Hua Yan*
Affiliation:Reproductive Center, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Reproductive Center, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, Department of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Division of Transplantation Immunology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Reproductive Center, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai
Keywords:Infertility, World Health Organization (WHO), stem cells, fertilization, IVF, IUI, ICSI.
Abstract:Worldwide, infertility affects 8-12% of couples of reproductive age and has
become a common problem. There are many ways to treat infertility, including
medication, intrauterine insemination, and in vitro fertilization. In recent years, stem-cell
therapy has raised new hope in the field of reproductive disability management. Stem
cells are self-renewing, self-replicating undifferentiated cells that are capable of
producing specialized cells under appropriate conditions. They exist throughout a
human’s embryo, fetal, and adult stages and can proliferate into different cells. While
many issues remain to be addressed concerning stem cells, stem cells have undeniably
opened up new ways to treat infertility. In this review, we describe past, present, and
future strategies for the use of stem cells in reproductive medicine.