Figure 1.

The potential reproductive uses of iPS cell-based germ cells. Autologous iPS cells can be generated from somatic cells biopsied from infertile patients who have lost viable oocytes or spermatozoa. Subsequently, germ cells are induced from the iPS cells. The regenerated germ cells can be used for in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection to create embryos for transfer. In cases of male infertility, spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) could be transplanted into patients to restore spermatogenesis potential. In cases of female infertility, ooplasmic transfer to enhance the viability of quality-compromised oocytes is conceivable if female germ cells with a sufficient number of mitochondria can be induced from iPS cells.