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Rare stem cells in testis, that produce a biomarker protein called PAX7, may also hold a key in restoring fertility, according to a new research. 

Researchers studying infertility in mouse models found that, unlike similar types of cells that develop into sperm, the stem cells that express PAX7 can survive treatment with toxic drugs and radiation, the press release added. 

If the findings are validated in people, it could lead new strategies to restore and protect fertility in men undergoing cancer treatment.

"Unfortunately, many cancer treatments negatively impact fertility, and men who receive such treatments are at high risk of losing their fertility. This is of great concern among cancer patients," said Dr. Diego H. Castrillon, Associate Professor of Pathology and Director of Investigative Pathology, in the press release. "The PAX7 stem cells we identified proved highly resistant to cancer treatments, suggesting that they may be the cells responsible for the recovery of fertility following such treatments."

According to Centers for Disease Control, as many as 4.7 million men in United States are affected by infertility. It is also a key complication of cancer treatments, e.g., chemotherapy and radiation therapy. 

The findings of the study appear in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.