Transplant of Sperm-Making Cells Reported

The first experiments showing that it is possible to transplant sperm-making cells from one animal into another were reported Monday.

In experiments at the University of Pennsylvania, reproductive physiologist Ralph Brinster made one mouse produce sperm that carry the genes--the biological inheritance--of another mouse.

By simply transplanting the sperm-making cells--spermatogonia--from one mouse into another, he permanently changed the recipient’s sperm, so it carried only the donor’s genes.

The experiments were done in mice that were naturally sterile, or in mice whose sperm stem cells had been killed by chemical treatments.

Two reports to be published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by Brinster and two co-workers show, in essence, that it is possible to transfer one family’s genetic inheritance directly into the male reproductive system of another.