Chapter 10 - Applications for induced pluripotent stem cells in reproductive medicine

Abstract

Pluripotent stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), have provided a much-needed resource to model and improve our understanding of early human germ cell development, including how genetic and epigenetic information is transmitted between generations. As such, iPSC-induced germ cells are offering new insight into the mechanisms of male and female infertility, as well as genetic and epigenetic disease in offspring. This, in and of itself, could lead to novel diagnostic and treatment approaches in reproductive medicine. Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are now commonly used in family building approaches by individuals and couples with various types of reproductive challenges. However, limitations and gaps exist for which stem cell–based strategies have been heavily researched, mostly focusing on disorders resulting in the absence of functional gametes to create a developmentally and genetically competent embryo. In synergy with other emerging technologies such as low-input genetic and epigenetic sequencing and gene editing, the use of patient-specific iPSCs to create gametes or gonadal tissue support cells has the potential to revolutionize reproductive medicine and address needs that are unmet by current ARTs.