Stem Cell Therapy In IVF Treatment & Infertility : A New Ray Of Hope?

Every year on July 25, the world celebrates World IVF Day to mark the birth of the first “test tube” baby, Louise Brown.¹ This year, Brown will be turning 45 years old, a testament to the advancement of IVF technology and the hope it has brought to millions of couples around the world.

Medical science has made remarkable strides, not only providing hope but also fulfilling the dreams of countless couples to have children of their own. The impact of IVF has been profound, with over 8 million babies born as a result of this technology.² While many couples struggling with infertility have been blessed with children through IVF and related assisted reproductive technology treatments, some still face challenges as conventional IVF methods may not have proven effective for them. However, there’s a silver lining- stem cell therapy in IVF treatment! 

Yes, the same stem cells that are often used to treat various blood disorders, cancers, and metabolic disorders can also be potentially used in IVF treatment to elevate success rates.

In this blog we’ll explore the promising realm of stem cell therapy in IVF treatment. So, grab a cup of coffee and get ready to expand your knowledge on potential stem cell research for infertility treatment. 

What Is Stem Cell Therapy In IVF Treatment?

To understand how stem cell therapy can be helpful in IVF treatments, we first need to understand what stem cells are. Stem cells are unspecialized cells that have the ability to develop into many different types of cells  such as blood, muscle or even brain cells.³ 

Types Of Stem Cells

Stem cells can be categorized into two broad groups: based on their source of origin and differentiation potential. These categories are further divided as outlined below. Let's delve into these classifications:

Categorization Based On Source Of Origin:

• Embryonic Stem Cells:

These cells are retrieved from human embryos, typically 4-7 days old, after fertilization. Embryonic stem cells possess the ability to develop into any type of cells and tissues. ^4,5 

• Fetal Stem Cells:

Fetal stem cells are extracted from the human fetus after the 8th week of development, these stem cells are found in fetal blood, bone marrow, and other tissues. These stem cells exhibit better engraftment, multipotency, and lower immunogenicity compared to adult stem cells.^{6, 7} 

• Adult Stem Cells:

The stem cells found in differentiating tissues in the body are called adult stem cells. They play a crucial role in tissue repair and regeneration, primarily giving rise to neural cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and hematopoietic stem cells.^8,9

• Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells:

These stem cells are extracted from the umbilical cord and placenta of newborns. They are a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells, which can be used to treat a variety of diseases, including genetic diseases, cancers, and inherited disorders.^10,11 

Categorization Based On Differentiation Potential

• Totipotent Stem Cells:

Stem cells that can differentiate into any cell type are usually known as totipotent stem cells. Examples include the zygote formed during fertilization and embryonic cells during early development.¹²

• Pluripotent Stem Cells:

These stem cells have the ability to differentiate into any cell type, but placental cells. They’re produced during embryonic stem cell differentiation or derived from germ layers during embryo development.¹³

• Multipotent Stem Cells:

These stem cells can be found in various tissues, with mesenchymal stem cells being a common example. Multipotent stem cells can be harvested from sources like fat tissue, bone marrow, blood and umbilical cord blood.¹⁴

So far, we have discussed various kinds of stem cells. However, it must be noted that only a few kinds of stem cells are being utilized in research for preserving or treating infertility issues. Let’s learn about those researches!

Procedures For Stem Cell Therapy In IVF Treatment & Fertility Preservation

Stem Cell Therapy For Male Infertility

For men who may have lost their ability to produce sperm, the spermatogonial stem cell therapy can be extremely beneficial. Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are an essential group of adult stem cells found in the testis. They play a crucial role as the building blocks of ongoing spermatogenesis (sperm production) and male fertility.¹⁵  Researchers have also developed a potent method in theory by which iPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells) can be transformed into spermatogonial stem cells. This method involves in vitro (laboratory-based) sperm production.¹⁵  

Stem Cell Therapy For Female Infertility

Similar to stem cell therapy for males, female infertility can also be addressed by developing a process that mimics ovulation or egg production.  In a recent series of events, a group of researchers have discovered ovarian stem cells (OSCs) in humans (which were earlier thought to be non-existent). However, the relevant research regarding their origin and whether they could be replicated using iPSCs or any other type of stem cells is still under speculation. Nevertheless, this discovery has been pivotal and shows the silver lining of stem cell therapy in both preserving fertility and potential IVF treatments.¹⁶

Stem Cell Therapy In IVF Treatment: Why Is It Needed?

After learning about the developments in new avenues of stem cell applications, you must be wondering what is the need of introducing stem cells into IVF? Well, the research on stem cell therapy for IVF is still in its early stages, but the potential benefits of this therapy are super significant! If medical advancements can successfully specialize sperm and ovarian cells through stem cells, it could benefit millions of people. This is due to the fact that stem cells are currently considered an inexhaustible resource.

Moreover, if the scientists and researchers finally develop a method to procreate in-vitro sperm cells and ovary cells, then it could benefit in-vitro fertilization by multifolds. And it “may” play a role in eliminating the chances of sperm rejection or ovarian failure in couples undergoing IVF treatments. 

Parting Thoughts

We hope this blog has helped you to understand the potential of stem cell therapy in IVF treatment. While it is still in its early stages, the future looks promising for couples struggling with infertility. Stem cell therapy could provide hope for those who have been unable to conceive, and we are excited to see how this therapy develops in the years to come.

If you are interested in learning more about stem cell therapy in IVF treatment, or if you‘d like to help spread the word on this important issue, please share this blog with your friends and family. Every little bit helps to promote awareness about this promising new therapy, and together we can make a difference in the lives of those couples who still dream of having children.