Stem cells have been introduced as new promising therapeutic agents in treatment of degenerative diseases because of having high differentiation potential while maintaining the ability to self-replicate and retaining features of their source cells. Among different type of cell therapies, mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSC) therapy is being increasingly developed as a new way to treat structural defects that need to be repaired and regenerated. Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a reproductive disease in men that causes infertility in 10% of infertile men. Based on in vitro studies, MSCs from different tissue sources have been differentiated into germ cells or gamete progenitor cells by simple methods in both male and female. On the other hand, the therapeutic effects of MSCs have been evaluated for the treatment of NOA animal models created by chemical or surgical compounds. The results of these studies confirmed successful allotransplantation or xenotransplantation of MSCs in the seminiferous tubules. As well, it has been reported that exosomes secreted by MSCs are able to induce the process of spermatogenesis in the testes of infertile animal models. Despite numerous advances in the treatment of reproductive diseases in men and women with the help of MSCs or their exosomes, no clinical trial has been terminated on the treatment of NOA. This systematic review attempts to investigate the possibility of MSC therapy for NOA in men.

Tae BS, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2017 Nov;33(2):e13. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e13

Nowadays mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy offers a broad spectrum of treatment of different conditions, including male infertility. Lots of studies suggest that injection of MSC promotes differentiation of germ cells and/or stimulates gonadal tissue development. Currently, there are plenty of MSC therapies of azoospermia which have been studied on animal models and demonstrated good results. Most of the studies were conducted using MSC derived from adipose tissue, the bone marrow, and umbilical cord. Despite the fact that this type of treatment in humans is not established as a first choice option, the use of these techniques gives us hope for a gradual introduction into our daily practice.