Treating infertility with stem cells

The problem of infertility

The term “infertility” refers to the inability to get pregnant with regular intercourse for at least a year (with some exceptions) without using contraception. The problem of infertility is extremely real these days. Interestingly, the percentage of each type of infertility – male, female, and idiopathic – is almost identical and in each case is about the same. 30%. Although the clear causes of the increasing problems of having offspring are not known, many experts see, among other things, the following as the source of this phenomenon. Air pollution and high levels of food processing. The cause of infertility is sometimes also caused by drugs used, for example, in chemotherapy for cancer treatment. Despite the available treatments for infertility and assisted reproductive techniques, many couples still cannot wait to have offspring.

The use of stem cells in the treatment of infertility

While researching infertility, scientists wondered why females of some species remain fertile throughout their lives, in a situation where every female reaches menopause at some point in her life. According to research to date, each woman is born with a limited number of egg cells, which are no longer produced during her lifetime, but only “mature” to become a fertilization-capable egg cell. Studies conducted on mice have proven that the ovaries of female mice of this species contain stem cells, from which egg cells are formed on an ongoing basis. Due to the fact that they are constantly produced by the mouse’s body, it remains fertile throughout its life. So the suspicion was raised that perhaps similar cells (so-called germinal cells) are also found in women’s ovaries. Using very specific markers that bind to proteins found only on the surface of stem cells, it has been proven that they are also present in women’s ovaries. The discovery has led to new attempts to treat female infertility and use stem cells to “stimulate” the production of new fertilizable eggs. Moreover, stem cells  can also help those women who have developed scarring (atrophy) of the endometrium, which prevents proper embryo implantation and contributes to infertility.

Research related to the use of stem cells  in the treatment of infertility is being conducted, among others. By Dr. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, a gynecologist and endocrinologist. As part of a research grant, he injected stem cells derived from the umbilical cord into the ovary of 4 women struggling with infertility. Two of them became pregnant after a single administration of the cells. While this research still needs to be analyzed in depth, it is very promising and may soon set a new trend in infertility treatment. Stem cell research is also being conducted to treat male infertility. Here, too, specialists have had considerable success transforming stem cells into male sex cells.

Where else are stem cells used?

By securing cord blood and umbilical cord, you gain the ability to treat diseases that may occur in your child or its siblings. In some diseases (e.g., leukemia), having cord blood secured can significantly speed up treatment, while in others it may be the only chance to improve health. All thanks to the fact that cord blood and umbilical cord are rich in stem cells, which build up the body and repair damaged cells and tissues. Stem cells derived min. from cord blood are currently used in the treatment of cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or, the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. Moreover, the baby’s cord blood, as long as there is the necessary compatibility, can also be used to treat other family members. The material, which is the baby’s cord blood, which would be disposed of if not collected, is therefore a kind of policy for the whole family. Stem cell treatment is still relatively new. For this reason, the list of diseases that could potentially be treated with them in the future is growing longer by the day.