Fertility is declining, and many countries across the world are grappling with this problem. Scientists have started searching for a solution. One such research is underway at Osaka University, where scientist Prof. Katsuhiko Hayashi has claimed that sperm and eggs will soon be created in the lab. This technology is expected to be fully developed within the next 7 years. It is called in-vitro gametogenesis. According to Hayashi, this technology could be a ray of hope for millions of couples suffering from infertility.
Prof. Hayashi says that he and his team are working rapidly on this technology. He mentions that soon such sex cells will be developed that can be used in natural reproduction. This will not only help infertile couples become parents, but same-sex couples, cancer patients, and elderly couples will also benefit. According to a report published in The Guardian quoting Prof. Hayashi, a California-based startup called Conception Biosciences is also leading in the race to develop sperm and eggs in the lab. According to its CEO, lab-made sperm could help counter the global decline in population. This startup is backed by several prominent figures, including OpenAI’s founder Sam Altman.
Sex Cells Will Be Made from Skin and Blood Cells
According to the research, if all goes well, it will soon be possible for anyone to have a child using their skin or blood cells, even if they can never become biological parents. While speaking with The Guardian, Prof. Katsuhiko Hayashi of Osaka University said that the research is progressing rapidly. This week, during the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology’s annual conference in Paris, he said, “I feel a little pressure, like I’m in a race, but I try to maintain a sense of scientific value.”
Successful Trials on Mice
Prof. Hayashi explained that this is a major research endeavor, and trials on mice have been successful. “We created a mouse that has two fathers,” he said—highlighting that the technique could be a boon for same-sex couples. He added that they receive at least one email per week from infertility patients, which makes him understand the urgency. Conception Biosciences CEO Matt Krisiloff told The Guardian that lab-developed eggs could “change everything.” They would allow women to conceive later in life.
How Sperm Will Be Made in the Lab
At the ESHRE conference, Prof. Hayashi explained that so far, they have successfully created mouse sperm and developed human testicular structures. Now, the team is fully working on IVG (In-Vitro Gametogenesis). In this process, stem cells are made from a person’s skin or blood cells, which are then transformed into germ cells—the precursors of eggs and sperm. These are placed into lab-generated stem cell environments, where they can develop into sperm or eggs. This method has already shown success in mice.
7 More Years Required
Prof. Hayashi said it could take another seven years to develop sperm in the lab. He noted that generating sperm using female cells is still a challenge—though not impossible. Other experts agree with Hayashi’s timeline. Prof. Rod Mitchell of Edinburgh University, who is researching the preservation of male fertility in children with cancer, stated that science is progressing quickly and expressed hope that lab-made sperm and eggs could be seen in ovaries and testes within five to ten years.
Proving the Safety of the Technology is Crucial
Prof. Allan Pacey of the University of Manchester, a professor of andrology and vice-chair of the society, agreed with Prof. Hayashi. He said that several labs have already created baby mice from lab-grown eggs. Though making human eggs remains a challenge, there is now greater understanding of how human eggs behave in their dormant state. Most experts believe the technology could still take several years to reach human application. However, the good news is that lab-generated mice have had normal lifespans and reproduced like natural mice. Prof. Hayashi emphasized that they must also prove that the technology is safe. He acknowledged, “Yes, I created a mouse with two fathers—but that is not natural. If science brings results that are unnatural, we must proceed with caution.”
