Stem Cells and Female Reproduction

Several recent findings in stein cell biology have resulted in new opportunities for the treatment of reproductive disease. Endometrial regeneration can be driven by bone marrow derived stem cells. This finding has potential implications for the treatment of uterine disorders. It also supports a new theory for the etiology of endometriosis. The ovaries have been shown to contain stein cells that form oocytes in adults and can be cultured in vitro to develop mature oocytes. Stein cells from the fetus have been demonstrated to lead to microchimerism in the in other and implicated in several maternal diseases. Additionally the placenta may be another source of hematopoietic stein cell. Finally endometrial derived stem cells have been demonstrated to differentiate into non-reproductive tissues. While are just beginning to understand stem cells and many key questions remain, the potential advantages of stein cells in reproductive biology and medicine are apparent.