Overview of In Vitro Spermatogenesis and Prospect of Clinical Application

Infertility has emerged as the third major threat to human health, following cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Among the various causes of male infertility, genetic factors, environmental influences, and gonadotoxic interference stand out significantly. While the advancement of ART (assisted reproductive technologies) has offered possibilities for treating male infertility, these conventional methods do not provide a direct solution for patients suffering from infertility due to the blockage of germ cell maturation. Recent developments in the technology of in vitro induction of haploid spermatid formation have opened new avenues for treating a range of infertility issues, including azoospermia. Additionally, this technique holds potential for preserving the fertility of prepubescent boys whose gonadal function has been compromised due to gonadotoxic treatments. This article provides a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in the in vitro spermatogenesis culture system and discusses its prospects and challenges in the treatment of infertility.