Sperm cells that produce insulin?

Transplantation of pancreas cells was thought to have potential for success as a new treatment for diabetes mellitus, but rejection and insulin production after transplantation have been issues. The use of induced pluripotent stem cells has also been investigated, but these reprogrammed adult stem cells have the potential for tumor development. A study from Georgetown University Medical Center conducted a proof-of-concept study utilizing spermatogonial stem cells to treat diabetics with their own stem cells. The findings that they were able to transform the sperm cells into insulin-producing pancreatic cells in vitro were presented to the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology in Philadelphia in December 2010. Read more about the diabetes study showing that sperm cells can produce natural insulin in the pancreas.