Artificial gametes: A systematic review of biological progress towards clinical application

Abstract

Recent advancements in the creation of artificial gametes, through manipulation of progenitor or somatic cells, have sparked discussions about their use in medically assisted reproduction (MAR). While promising for infertile individuals, including postmenopausal women and same-sex couples, the systematic review of literature published between 1970 and 2013 reveals that the clinical application of artificial gametes is still in its early stages. In animals, artificial sperm and oocytes generated from germline stem cells (GSCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have resulted in viable offspring. Moreover, artificial gametes have been generated directly from somatic cells, bypassing the intermediate stages of stem cell development. In humans, artificial sperm has been derived from ESCs and iPSCs, while artificial oocytes have been generated from GSCs, ESCs, and somatic cells. However, despite promising results, the developmental potential, epigenetic and genetic stability, and successful births using human artificial gametes remain unproven. While animal studies demonstrate the feasibility of generating viable offspring from artificial gametes, further research is crucial to address safety, efficiency, and ethical considerations before clinical application in humans.