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Stem Cells Zap Infertility in Female Mice
Researchers believe treatment could reverse human menopause
By Rob Quinn
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Posted Apr 13, 09 6:05 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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Chinese scientists say they have reversed infertility in female mice by creating new eggs from stem cells, the Independent reports. The research—which if it bears out could have heady implications for reproductive medicine, including reversing menopause—took stem cells from the ovaries of mice, cultivated them, and transplanted them into infertile mice. Some 80% of those mice went on to have offspring after mating.
The findings "could provide a means to restore fertility to women who have few eggs or who have had to undergo cancer treatments," one expert on reproduction said. He added, however, that the study had failed to answer some important questions and that much research remains to be done. "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence," he said.