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Bashiri Z, Gholipourmalekabadi M, Khadivi F, Salem M, Afzali A, Cham TC, Koruji M. In vitro spermatogenesis in artificial testis: current knowledge and clinical implications for male infertility. Cell Tissue Res 2023; 394:393-421. [PMID: 37721632 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-023-03824-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Men's reproductive health exclusively depends on the appropriate maturation of certain germ cells known as sperm. Certain illnesses, such as Klinefelter syndrome, cryptorchidism, and syndrome of androgen insensitivity or absence of testis maturation in men, resulting in the loss of germ cells and the removal of essential genes on the Y chromosome, can cause non-obstructive azoospermia. According to laboratory research, preserving, proliferating, differentiating, and transplanting spermatogonial stem cells or testicular tissue could be future methods for preserving the fertility of children with cancer and men with azoospermia. Therefore, new advances in stem cell research may lead to promising therapies for treating male infertility. The rate of progression and breakthrough in the area of in vitro spermatogenesis is lower than that of SSC transplantation, but newer methods are also being developed. In this regard, tissue and cell culture, supplements, and 3D scaffolds have opened new horizons in the differentiation of stem cells in vitro, which could improve the outcomes of male infertility. Various 3D methods have been developed to produce cellular aggregates and mimic the organization and function of the testis. The production of an artificial reproductive organ that supports SSCs differentiation will certainly be a main step in male infertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Bashiri
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Hemmat Highway, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran.
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Hemmat Highway, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran.
- Omid Fertility & Infertility Clinic, Hamedan, Iran.
| | - Mazaher Gholipourmalekabadi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farnaz Khadivi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Maryam Salem
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azita Afzali
- Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Tat-Chuan Cham
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - Morteza Koruji
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Hemmat Highway, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran.
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Hemmat Highway, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran.
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Use of alginate hydrogel to improve long-term 3D culture of spermatogonial stem cells: stemness gene expression and structural features. ZYGOTE 2021; 30:312-318. [PMID: 34641993 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199421000551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The quality and quantity of a spermatogonial stem-cell (SSC) culture can be measured in less time using a 3D culture in a scaffold. The present study investigated stemness gene expression and the morphological and structural characterization of SSCs encapsulated in alginate. SSCs were harvested from BALB/c neonatal mice testes through two-step mechanical and enzymatic digestion. The spermatogonial populations were separated using magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) using an anti-Thy1 antibody and c-Kit. The SSCs then were encapsulated in alginate hydrogel. After 2 months of SSC culturing, the alginate microbeads were extracted and stained to evaluate their histological properties. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to determine the stemness gene expression. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to evaluate the SSC morphology, density and scaffold structure. The results showed that encapsulated SSCs had decreased expression of Oct4, Sox2 and Nanos2 genes, but the expression of Nanog, Bcl6b and Plzf genes was not significantly altered. Histological examination showed that SSCs with pale nuclei and numerous nucleolus formed colonies. SEM evaluation revealed that the alginate scaffold structure preserved the SSC morphology and density for more than 60 days. Cultivation of SSCs on alginate hydrogel can affect Oct4, Sox2 and Nanos2 expression.
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Evaluation of co-cultured spermatogonial stem cells encapsulated in alginate hydrogel with Sertoli cells and their transplantation into azoospermic mice. ZYGOTE 2021; 30:344-351. [PMID: 34610855 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199421000733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
An in vitro spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) culture can serve as an effective technique to study spermatogenesis and treatment for male infertility. In this research, we compared the effect of a three-dimensional alginate hydrogel with Sertoli cells in a 3D culture and co-cultured Sertoli cells. After harvest of SSCs from neonatal mice testes, the SSCs were divided into two groups: SSCs on a 3D alginate hydrogel with Sertoli cells and a co-culture of SSCs with Sertoli cells for 1 month. The samples were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) tracing, haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining after transplantation into an azoospermic testis mouse. The 3D group showed rapid cell proliferation and numerous colonies compared with the co-culture group. Molecular assessment showed significantly increased integrin alpha-6, integrin beta-1, Nanog, Plzf, Thy-1, Oct4 and Bcl2 expression levels in the 3D group and decreased expression levels of P53, Fas, and Bax. BrdU tracing, and H&E and PAS staining results indicated that the hydrogel alginate improved spermatogenesis after transplantation in vivo. This finding suggested that cultivation of SSCs on alginate hydrogel with Sertoli cells in a 3D culture can lead to efficient proliferation and maintenance of SSC stemness and enhance the efficiency of SSC transplantation.
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Bourdon G, Cadoret V, Charpigny G, Couturier-Tarrade A, Dalbies-Tran R, Flores MJ, Froment P, Raliou M, Reynaud K, Saint-Dizier M, Jouneau A. Progress and challenges in developing organoids in farm animal species for the study of reproduction and their applications to reproductive biotechnologies. Vet Res 2021; 52:42. [PMID: 33691745 PMCID: PMC7944619 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-020-00891-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the past decades, major progress has been accomplished in isolating germ/stem/pluripotent cells, in refining culture medium and conditions and in establishing 3-dimensional culture systems, towards developing organoids for organs involved in reproduction in mice and to some extent in humans. Haploid male germ cells were generated in vitro from primordial germ cells. So were oocytes, with additional support from ovarian cells and subsequent follicle culture. Going on with the female reproductive tract, spherical oviduct organoids were obtained from adult stem/progenitor cells. Multicellular endometrial structures mimicking functional uterine glands were derived from endometrial cells. Trophoblastic stem cells were induced to form 3-dimensional syncytial-like structures and exhibited invasive properties, a crucial point for placentation. Finally, considering the embryo itself, pluripotent embryonic cells together with additional extra-embryonic cells, could self-organize into a blastoid, and eventually into a post-implantation-like embryo. Most of these accomplishments have yet to be reached in farm animals, but much effort is devoted towards this goal. Here, we review the progress and discuss the specific challenges of developing organoids for the study of reproductive biology in these species. We consider the use of such organoids in basic research to delineate the physiological mechanisms involved at each step of the reproductive process, or to understand how they are altered by environmental factors relevant to animal breeding. We evaluate their potential in reproduction of animals with a high genetic value, from a breeding point of view or in the context of preserving local breeds with limited headcounts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Bourdon
- INRAE, CNRS, Université de Tours, IFCE, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Véronique Cadoret
- INRAE, CNRS, Université de Tours, IFCE, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France
- CHU Bretonneau, Médecine et Biologie de la Reproduction-CECOS, 37044, Tours, France
| | - Gilles Charpigny
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire D'Alfort, BREED, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Anne Couturier-Tarrade
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire D'Alfort, BREED, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Maria-José Flores
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire D'Alfort, BREED, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Pascal Froment
- INRAE, CNRS, Université de Tours, IFCE, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Mariam Raliou
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire D'Alfort, BREED, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Karine Reynaud
- INRAE, CNRS, Université de Tours, IFCE, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Marie Saint-Dizier
- INRAE, CNRS, Université de Tours, IFCE, PRC, 37380, Nouzilly, France
- Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Tours, 37200, Tours, France
| | - Alice Jouneau
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire D'Alfort, BREED, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France.
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Eyni H, Ghorbani S, Nazari H, Hajialyani M, Razavi Bazaz S, Mohaqiq M, Ebrahimi Warkiani M, Sutherland DS. Advanced bioengineering of male germ stem cells to preserve fertility. J Tissue Eng 2021; 12:20417314211060590. [PMID: 34868541 PMCID: PMC8638075 DOI: 10.1177/20417314211060590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In modern life, several factors such as genetics, exposure to toxins, and aging have resulted in significant levels of male infertility, estimated to be approximately 18% worldwide. In response, substantial progress has been made to improve in vitro fertilization treatments (e.g. microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (m-TESE), intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and round spermatid injection (ROSI)). Mimicking the structure of testicular natural extracellular matrices (ECM) outside of the body is one clear route toward complete in vitro spermatogenesis and male fertility preservation. Here, a new wave of technological innovations is underway applying regenerative medicine strategies to cell-tissue culture on natural or synthetic scaffolds supplemented with bioactive factors. The emergence of advanced bioengineered systems suggests new hope for male fertility preservation through development of functional male germ cells. To date, few studies aimed at in vitro spermatogenesis have resulted in relevant numbers of mature gametes. However, a substantial body of knowledge on conditions that are required to maintain and mature male germ cells in vitro is now in place. This review focuses on advanced bioengineering methods such as microfluidic systems, bio-fabricated scaffolds, and 3D organ culture applied to the germline for fertility preservation through in vitro spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Eyni
- Department of Anatomical Sciences,
School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sadegh Ghorbani
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center
(iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hojjatollah Nazari
- Research Center for Advanced
Technologies in Cardiovascular Medicine, Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of
Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Hajialyani
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research
Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah,
Iran
| | - Sajad Razavi Bazaz
- School of Biomedical Engineering,
University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mahdi Mohaqiq
- Institute of Regenerative Medicine,
School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | | | - Duncan S Sutherland
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center
(iNANO), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Malolina EA, Kulibin AY. Creation of a Model of Co-Culturing of Sertoli-Like Mouse Cells with Spermatogonial Cells. Bull Exp Biol Med 2019; 167:584-589. [PMID: 31502131 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-019-04576-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Sertoli-like cells is a cell population in the testes of adult mice capable of growth in culture and expressing many genes typical of Sertoli cells and supporting the development of germ cells in the gonad. A technique of co-culturing of Sertoli-like cells with spermatogonial cells was proposed that allows maintaining the growth and viability of germ cells and inducing their differentiation. This technique can provide the basis for obtaining fully differentiated germ cells in culture through using Sertoli-like cells as the supporting somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Malolina
- N. K. Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - A Yu Kulibin
- N. K. Koltsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
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7
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Nejsum LN, Piec A, Fijak M, Ernstsen CV, Fischer D, Maier TJ, Kinscherf R, Hofmann R, Urbschat A. Systemic LPS induces toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) expression and apoptosis in testicular mouse tissue. Cell Tissue Res 2019; 378:143-154. [PMID: 30989399 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-019-03022-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that sepsis and inflammation reduce male fertility. Within the testis, toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is constitutively expressed and recognizes double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) from viruses, degraded bacteria, damaged tissues and necrotic cells. To characterize the potential role of TLR3 in response to testicular infections, its expression and downstream signaling were investigated upon challenge with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in two mouse strains that differ in their immuno-competence regarding T cell-regulated immunity. Thereto, Balb/c and Foxn1nu mice were randomized into six interventional groups treated with either i.v. application of saline or LPS followed by 20 min, 5 h 30 min and 18 h of observation and two sham-treated control groups. LPS administration induced a significant stress response; the amplification was manifested for TLR3 and interleukin 6 (IL6) mRNA in the impaired testis 5 h 30 min after LPS injection. TLR3 immunostaining revealed that TLR3 was primarily localized in spermatocytes. The TLR3 expression displayed different temporal dynamics between both mouse strains. However, immunofluorescence staining indicated only punctual interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) expression upon LPS treatment along with minor alterations in interferon β (IFNβ) mRNA expression. Induction of acute inflammation was closely followed by a significant shift of the Bax/Bcl2 ratio to pro-apoptotic signaling accompanied by augmented TUNEL-positive cells 18 h after LPS injection with again differing patterns in both mouse strains. In conclusion, this study shows the involvement of TLR3 in response to LPS-induced testicular inflammation in immuno-competent and -incompetent mice, yet lacking transmission into its signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lene N Nejsum
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Adrian Piec
- Clinic of Urology and Pediatric Urology, Philipps-University Marburg, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Monika Fijak
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University Gießen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Dania Fischer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thorsten J Maier
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 6, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Ralf Kinscherf
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Rainer Hofmann
- Clinic of Urology and Pediatric Urology, Philipps-University Marburg, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anja Urbschat
- Clinic of Urology and Pediatric Urology, Philipps-University Marburg, Frankfurt, Germany. .,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 6, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
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8
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Efficiency of colony formation and differentiation of human spermatogenic cells in two different culture systems. Reprod Biol 2018; 18:397-403. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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9
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Luca G, Arato I, Sorci G, Cameron DF, Hansen BC, Baroni T, Donato R, White DGJ, Calafiore R. Sertoli cells for cell transplantation: pre-clinical studies and future perspectives. Andrology 2018; 6:385-395. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Luca
- Department of Experimental Medicine; University of Perugia; Perugia Italy
- Division of Medical Andrology and Endocrinology of Reproduction; University of Perugia and Saint Mary Hospital; Terni Italy
| | - I. Arato
- Department of Experimental Medicine; University of Perugia; Perugia Italy
| | - G. Sorci
- Department of Experimental Medicine; University of Perugia; Perugia Italy
- Inter-University Institute of Myology (IIM)
| | - D. F. Cameron
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology; Morsani College of Medicine; University of South Florida; Tampa FL USA
| | - B. C. Hansen
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics; Morsani College of Medicine; University of South Florida; Tampa FL USA
| | - T. Baroni
- Department of Experimental Medicine; University of Perugia; Perugia Italy
| | - R. Donato
- Department of Experimental Medicine; University of Perugia; Perugia Italy
- Inter-University Institute of Myology (IIM)
- Centro Universitario per la Ricerca sulla Genomica Funzionale; Perugia Italy
| | - D. G. J. White
- Robarts Research Institute; University of Western Ontario; London ON Canada
| | - R. Calafiore
- Division of Medical Andrology and Endocrinology of Reproduction; University of Perugia and Saint Mary Hospital; Terni Italy
- Department of Medicine; University of Perugia; Perugia Italy
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10
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Isoler-Alcaraz J, Fernández-Pérez D, Larriba E, del Mazo J. Cellular and molecular characterization of gametogenic progression in ex vivo cultured prepuberal mouse testes. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2017; 15:85. [PMID: 29047395 PMCID: PMC5648490 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-017-0305-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, an effective testis culture method using a gas-liquid interphase, capable of differentiate male germ cells from neonatal spermatogonia to spermatozoa has been developed. Nevertheless, this methodology needs deep analyses that allow future experimental approaches in basic, pathologic and/or reprotoxicologic studies. Because of this, we characterized at cellular and molecular levels the entire in vitro spermatogenic progression, in order to understand and evaluate the characteristics that define the spermatogenic process in ex vivo cultured testes compared to the in vivo development. METHODS Testicular explants of CD1 mice aged 6 and 10 days post-partum were respectively cultured during 55 and 89 days. Cytological and molecular approaches were performed, analyzing germ cell proportion at different time culture points, meiotic markers immunodetecting synaptonemal complex protein SYCP3 by immunocytochemistry and the relative expression of different marker genes along the differentiation process by Reverse Transcription - quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction. In addition, microRNA and piwi-interactingRNA profiles were also evaluated by Next Generation Sequencing and bioinformatic approaches. RESULTS The method promoted and maintained the spermatogenic process during 89 days. At a cytological level we detected spermatogenic development delays of cultured explants compared to the natural in vivo process. The expression of different spermatogenic stages gene markers correlated with the proportion of different cell types detected in the cytological preparations. CONCLUSIONS In vitro progression analysis of the different spermatogenic cell types, from both 6.5 dpp and 10.5 dpp testes explants, has revealed a relative delay in relation to in vivo process. The expression of the genes studied as biomarkers correlates with the cytologically and functional detected progression and differential expression identified in vivo. After a first analysis of deep sequencing data it has been observed that as long as cultures progress, the proportion of microRNAs declined respect to piwi-interactingRNAs levels that increased, showing a similar propensity than which happens in in vivo spermatogenesis. Our study allows to improve and potentially to control the ex vivo spermatogenesis development, opening new perspectives in the reproductive biology fields including male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Isoler-Alcaraz
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - D. Fernández-Pérez
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - E. Larriba
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J. del Mazo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CIB-CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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11
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In vitro production of functional haploid sperm cells from male germ cells of Saanen dairy goat. Theriogenology 2017; 90:120-128. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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12
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Duan L, Zhu J, Wang K, Zhou G, Yang Y, Cui L, Huang H, Cheng X, Ba Y. Does Fluoride Affect Serum Testosterone and Androgen Binding Protein with Age-Specificity? A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Chinese Male Farmers. Biol Trace Elem Res 2016; 174:294-299. [PMID: 27154732 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-016-0726-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Many studies have demonstrated that exposure to excess fluoride was associated with a variety of diseases. Little is known about the variation of testosterone (T) levels caused by fluoride exposure. The aim of this study is to explore the association of fluoride exposure and age with serum T and androgen-binding protein (ABP) levels in male farmers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a county of Henan Province, China, including high fluoride exposure from drinking water villages and control villages. Male farmers aged 18-55 years old who lived in these villages were recruited by cluster sampling and divided into a higher fluoride exposure group (HFG) and a lower fluoride exposure group (LFG) according to the level of urinary fluoride. Levels of T and ABP in serum were measured using chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively. Markedly lower T levels were observed in male farmers from the HFG than in those from the LFG (t = 2.496, P < 0.05). Furthermore, younger farmers, 18-29 and 30-39 years old, may be the most likely to have lower T levels when exposed to fluoride (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in serum ABP levels in all male farmers between the two groups with different fluoride exposure. These results supported that excess fluoride exposure decreased serum T levels of male farmers with age-specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leizhen Duan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyuan Zhu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Keyan Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoyu Zhou
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuejin Yang
- Kaifeng Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Kaifeng, Henan, 475000, People's Republic of China
| | - Liuxin Cui
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuemin Cheng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Ba
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China.
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13
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González R, Dobrinski I. Beyond the mouse monopoly: studying the male germ line in domestic animal models. ILAR J 2016; 56:83-98. [PMID: 25991701 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilv004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the foundation of spermatogenesis and essential to maintain the continuous production of spermatozoa after the onset of puberty in the male. The study of the male germ line is important for understanding the process of spermatogenesis, unravelling mechanisms of stemness maintenance, cell differentiation, and cell-to-cell interactions. The transplantation of SSCs can contribute to the preservation of the genome of valuable individuals in assisted reproduction programs. In addition to the importance of SSCs for male fertility, their study has recently stimulated interest in the generation of genetically modified animals because manipulations of the male germ line at the SSC stage will be maintained in the long term and transmitted to the offspring. Studies performed mainly in the mouse model have laid the groundwork for facilitating advancements in the field of male germ line biology, but more progress is needed in nonrodent species in order to translate the technology to the agricultural and biomedical fields. The lack of reliable markers for isolating germ cells from testicular somatic cells and the lack of knowledge of the requirements for germ cell maintenance have precluded their long-term maintenance in domestic animals. Nevertheless, some progress has been made. In this review, we will focus on the state of the art in the isolation, characterization, culture, and manipulation of SSCs and the use of germ cell transplantation in domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel González
- Raquel González, DVM, PhD, is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada. Ina Dobrinski, DVM, MVSc, PhD, Dipl ACT, is a professor and the head of the Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
| | - Ina Dobrinski
- Raquel González, DVM, PhD, is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada. Ina Dobrinski, DVM, MVSc, PhD, Dipl ACT, is a professor and the head of the Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada
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Huleihel M, Nourashrafeddin S, Plant TM. Application of three-dimensional culture systems to study mammalian spermatogenesis, with an emphasis on the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). Asian J Androl 2015; 17:972-80. [PMID: 26067870 PMCID: PMC4814948 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.154994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2014] [Revised: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro culture of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) has generally been performed using two-dimensional (2D) culture systems; however, such cultures have not led to the development of complete spermatogenesis. It seems that 2D systems do not replicate optimal conditions of the seminiferous tubules (including those generated by the SSC niche) and necessary for spermatogenesis. Recently, one of our laboratories has been able to induce proliferation and differentiation of mouse testicular germ cells to meiotic and postmeiotic stages including generation of sperm in a 3D soft agar culture system (SACS) and a 3D methylcellulose culture system (MCS). It was suggested that SACS and MCS form a special 3D microenvironment that mimics germ cell niche formation in the seminiferous tubules, and thus permits mouse spermatogenesis in vitro. In this review, we (1) provide a brief overview of the differences in spermatogenesis in rodents and primates, (2) summarize data related to attempts to generate sperm in vitro, (3) report for the first time formation of colonies/clusters of cells and differentiation of meiotic (expression of CREM-1) and postmeiotic (expression of acrosin) germ cells from undifferentiated spermatogonia isolated from the testis of prepubertal rhesus monkeys and cultured in SACS and MCS, and (4) indicate research needed to optimize 3D systems for in vitro primate spermatogenesis and for possible future application to man.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Huleihel
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Seyedmehdi Nourashrafeddin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Tony M Plant
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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15
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Li HJ. More attention should be paid to the treatment of male infertility with drugs--testosterone: to use it or not? Asian J Androl 2014; 16:270-3. [PMID: 24435051 PMCID: PMC3955339 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.122343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Testosterone replacement is strictly contraindicated for the treatment of male infertility’ was the advanced view from the ‘2013 European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines on male infertility’, and this view brings extensive concern and questions. Although sufficient numbers of well-performed and controlled clinical trials that provide evidence supporting drug treatment of male infertility are not available at present, the opportunity to prove that these drugs are effective should not be prevented, and rigorous examination of drug therapy should be encouraged and strengthened. Therefore, I believe the above conclusion in the EAU guidelines is poorly conceived.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Jun Li
- Urological Department of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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16
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Jørgensen A, Young J, Nielsen JE, Joensen UN, Toft BG, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Loveland KL. Hanging drop cultures of human testis and testis cancer samples: a model used to investigate activin treatment effects in a preserved niche. Br J Cancer 2014; 110:2604-14. [PMID: 24781282 PMCID: PMC4021512 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Revised: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Testicular germ cell tumours of young adults, seminoma or non-seminomas, are preceded by a pre-invasive precursor, carcinoma in situ (CIS), understood to arise through differentiation arrest of embryonic germ cells. Knowledge about the malignant transformation of germ cells is currently limited by the lack of experimental models. The aim of this study was to establish an experimental tissue culture model to maintain normal and malignant germ cells within their niche and allow investigation of treatment effects. Methods: Human testis and testis cancer specimens from orchidectomies were cultured in ‘hanging drops' and effects of activin A and follistatin treatment were investigated in seminoma cultures. Results: Testis fragments with normal spermatogenesis or CIS cells were cultured for 14 days with sustained proliferation of germ cells and CIS cells and without increased apoptosis. Seminoma cultures survived 7 days, with proliferating cells detectable during the first 5 days. Activin A treatment significantly reduced KIT transcript and protein levels in seminoma cultures, thereby demonstrating a specific treatment response. Conclusions: Hanging drop cultures of human testis and testis cancer samples can be employed to delineate mechanisms governing growth of normal, CIS and tumorigenic germ cells retained within their niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Jørgensen
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J Young
- 1] Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia [2] Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - J E Nielsen
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - U N Joensen
- Department of Urology, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - B G Toft
- Department of Pathology, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - E Rajpert-De Meyts
- University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - K L Loveland
- 1] Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia [2] Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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17
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Disturbances of sperm maturation and minipuberty: is there a connection? BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:912746. [PMID: 24738078 PMCID: PMC3971514 DOI: 10.1155/2014/912746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Male reproductive function in the general population raises an increased attention due to reports indicating declining sperm counts, increased occurrence of testicular cancer, cryptorchidism, and hypospadias. It is also hypothesized that prolonged exposure of the developing male, during both fetal and postnatal life, to exogenous estrogens could reduce Sertoli cell number and thus reduce sperm output (and sperm counts) in adult life. Fact is that infertility, which is defined as the inability to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse, has a global prevalence of 9%. A male contributory factor is involved in approximately half of these cases, but most of the causes of reduced semen quality and other disturbances of male reproductive function are unknown. In the most affected men (azoospermic men) 15-20% had a prior history of cryptorchidism. The association between the cryptorchidism and infertility is one of the most studied potential causes of infertility. There are numerous studies that accentuate the importance of minipuberty for future fertility. Is it possible that a normal minipuberty ensures normal fertility despite malpositioned testes? And to move away from cryptorchidism, could impaired minipuberty be responsible for fertility problems in men who were born with both testes in their scrotal sacs?
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18
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Kiss1 and Kiss1 receptor expression in the rhesus monkey testis: a possible local regulator of testicular function. Open Life Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.2478/s11535-013-0219-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
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19
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Mahmoud H. Concise review: Spermatogenesis in an artificial three-dimensional system. Stem Cells 2013; 30:2355-60. [PMID: 22997006 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Culture of spermatogonial stem cells has been performed under a variety of conditions. Most featured two-dimensional systems, with different types of sera, conditioned media, feeder layers, and growth factors. Some have used three-dimensional (3D) matrices produced from gelatin, collagen, or other material. In spite of their increasingly sophisticated composition, however, complete spermatogenesis in vitro has not yet been achieved. In the seminiferous tubules, spermatogenesis occurs in an environment where cells are embedded in a 3D structure with specific niches regulating each stage of germ cell maturation mediated by hormones and paracrine/autocrine factors. We have recently reported achievement of complete in vitro spermatogenesis of mouse testicular germ cells in a 3D culture system featuring a soft agar matrix. This review discusses the advantages of the 3D culture system for studying the spermatogenic process in its entirety. Also discussed are the steps necessary to expand the applicability of the 3D culture system to human germ cell development and determine the functionality of culture-produced spermatozoa for generating offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huleihel Mahmoud
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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20
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Sá R, Graça I, Silva J, Malheiro I, Carvalho F, Barros A, Sousa M. Quantitative analysis of cellular proliferation and differentiation of the human seminiferous epithelium in vitro. Reprod Sci 2012; 19:1063-74. [PMID: 22544847 DOI: 10.1177/1933719112440746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present work was to quantitate the temporal and stage-specific effects of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone on the proliferation and differentiation capacities of the human seminiferous epithelium. Seminiferous tubule fragments were kept in culture for 28 days and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation was used to determine cell proliferation. Data demonstrated a gradual loss of germ cells during the culture period, no decrease in Sertoli cell numbers, and maintenance of the general architecture of the seminiferous tubules. Both FSH and testosterone increased germ cell survival, spermatogonia proliferation, and germ cell differentiation, especially during the first week of culture. At the end of the first week, differentiation of spermatocytes was observed, especially when 50 IU/L FSH and 1 µmol/L testosterone were used. In conclusion, using this methodology, it was possible to quantify germ cell proliferation and differentiation, in a reproducible way, with results compatible with the timing of human spermatogenesis in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosália Sá
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, UMIB, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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21
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Abu Elhija M, Lunenfeld E, Schlatt S, Huleihel M. Differentiation of murine male germ cells to spermatozoa in a soft agar culture system. Asian J Androl 2011; 14:285-93. [PMID: 22057383 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2011.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Establishment of an in vitro system that allows the development of testicular germ cells to sperm will be valuable for studies of spermatogenesis and future treatments for male infertility. In the present study, we developed in vitro culture conditions using three-dimensional agar culture system (SACS), which has the capacity to induce testicular germ cells to reach the final stages of spermatogenesis, including spermatozoa generation. Seminiferous tubules from testes of 7-day-old mice were enzymatically dissociated, and intratubular cells were cultured in the upper layer of the SACS in RPMI medium supplemented with fetal calf serum (FCS). The lower layer of the SACS contained only RPMI medium supplemented with FCS. Colonies in the upper layer were isolated after 14 and 28 days of culture and were classified according to their size. Immunofluorescence and real-time PCR were used to analyse specific markers expressed in undifferentiated and differentiated spermatogonia (Vasa, Dazl, OCT-4, C-Kit, GFR-α-1, CD9 and α-6-integrin), meiotic cells (LDH, Crem-1 and Boule) and post-meiotic cells (Protamine-1, Acrosin and SP-10). Our results reveal that it is possible to induce mouse testicular pre-meiotic germ cell expansion and induce their differentiation to spermatozoa in SACS. The spermatozoa showed normal morphology and contained acrosomes. Thus, our results demonstrate that SACS could be used as a novel in vitro system for the maturation of pre-meiotic mouse germ cells to post-meiotic stages and morphologically-normal spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Abu Elhija
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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22
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Dehnugara T, Dhar S, Rao MRS. An in vitro, short-term culture method for mammalian haploid round spermatids amenable for molecular manipulation. Mol Reprod Dev 2011; 79:19-30. [PMID: 21953649 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2011] [Accepted: 09/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Extensive chromatin remodeling is a characteristic feature of mammalian spermiogenesis. To date, methods for the molecular manipulation of haploid spermatids are not available as there is a lack of a well-established culture system. Biochemical experiments and knockout studies reveal only the final outcome; studying the incremental details of the intricate mechanisms involved is still a challenge. We have established an in vitro culture system for pure haploid round spermatids isolated from rat testes that can be maintained with good viability for up to 72 hr. Changes in cell morphology and flagellar growth were also studied in the cultured spermatids. Further, we have demonstrated that upon treatment of cells with specific histone deacetylase inhibitors, sodium butyrate and trichostatin A, there is an increase in the hyperacetylation status of histone H4, mimicking an important event characteristic of histone replacement process that occurs during later stages of spermiogenesis. We have also tried various methods for introducing DNA and protein into these round spermatids in culture, and report that while DNA transfection is still a challenging task, protein transfection could be achieved using Chariot™ peptide as a transfection reagent. Thus, the method described here sets a stage to study the molecular roles of spermatid-specific proteins and chromatin remodelers in the cellular context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tushna Dehnugara
- Chromatin Biology Lab, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India
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23
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24
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Rodríguez-Casuriaga R, Geisinger A, Santiñaque FF, López-Carro B, Folle GA. High-purity flow sorting of early meiocytes based on DNA analysis of guinea pig spermatogenic cells. Cytometry A 2011; 79:625-34. [PMID: 21520399 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.21067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2010] [Revised: 03/01/2011] [Accepted: 03/24/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is still nowadays poorly understood at the molecular level. Testis cellular heterogeneity is a major drawback for spermatogenic gene expression studies, especially when research is focused on stages that are usually very short and poorly represented at the cellular level such as initial meiotic prophase I (i.e., leptotene [L] and zygotene [Z]). Presumably, genes whose products are involved in critical meiotic events such as alignment, pairing and recombination of homologous chromosomes are expressed during the short stages of early meiotic prophase. Aiming to characterize mammalian early meiotic gene expression, we have found the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) as an especially attractive model. A detailed analysis of its first spermatogenic wave by flow cytometry (FCM) and optical microscopy showed that guinea pig testes exhibit a higher representation of early meiotic stages compared to other studied rodents, partly because of their longer span, and also as a result of the increased number of cells entering meiosis. Moreover, we have found that adult guinea pig testes exhibit a peculiar 4C DNA content profile, with a bimodal peak for L/Z and P spermatocytes that is absent in other rodents. Besides, we show that this unusual 4C peak allows the separation by FCM of highly pure L/Z spermatocyte populations aside from pachytene ones, even from adult individuals. To our knowledge, this is the first report on an accurate and suitable method for highly pure early meiotic prophase cell isolation from adult mammals, and thus sets an interesting approach for gene expression studies aiming at a deeper understanding of the molecular groundwork underlying male gamete production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosana Rodríguez-Casuriaga
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Montevideo, Uruguay.
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25
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Hua J, Zhu H, Pan S, Liu C, Sun J, Ma X, Dong W, Liu W, Li W. Pluripotent Male Germline Stem Cells from Goat Fetal Testis and Their Survival in Mouse Testis. Cell Reprogram 2011; 13:133-44. [PMID: 21473690 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2010.0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jinlian Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Key Lab for Reproductive Physiology & Embryo Biotechnology of Agriculture Ministry of China Shaanxi Key Lab for Agriculture Molecular Biotechnology Centre, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Haijing Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Key Lab for Reproductive Physiology & Embryo Biotechnology of Agriculture Ministry of China Shaanxi Key Lab for Agriculture Molecular Biotechnology Centre, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaohui Pan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Key Lab for Reproductive Physiology & Embryo Biotechnology of Agriculture Ministry of China Shaanxi Key Lab for Agriculture Molecular Biotechnology Centre, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Chao Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Key Lab for Reproductive Physiology & Embryo Biotechnology of Agriculture Ministry of China Shaanxi Key Lab for Agriculture Molecular Biotechnology Centre, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Junwei Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Key Lab for Reproductive Physiology & Embryo Biotechnology of Agriculture Ministry of China Shaanxi Key Lab for Agriculture Molecular Biotechnology Centre, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoling Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Key Lab for Reproductive Physiology & Embryo Biotechnology of Agriculture Ministry of China Shaanxi Key Lab for Agriculture Molecular Biotechnology Centre, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Wuzi Dong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Key Lab for Reproductive Physiology & Embryo Biotechnology of Agriculture Ministry of China Shaanxi Key Lab for Agriculture Molecular Biotechnology Centre, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Weishuai Liu
- Department of Pathology, Yangling Demonstration Zone Hospital, Yang Ling, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- North Branch Bio-Technology Co., Ltd. of Jiangsu Province, Taizhou, Jiangsu People's Republic of China
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26
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Protecting the heritable genome: DNA damage response mechanisms in spermatogonial stem cells. DNA Repair (Amst) 2011; 10:159-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2010.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2010] [Revised: 09/21/2010] [Accepted: 10/22/2010] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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27
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Vakalopoulos I, Gkotsos G, Kessidis P, Malioris A, Radopoulos D. Bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism with large left testicular seminoma and failed right urogenital union. Andrologia 2010; 43:71-4. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2009.01008.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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28
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Marcon L, Zhang X, Hales BF, Nagano MC, Robaire B. Development of a Short-Term Fluorescence-Based Assay to Assess the Toxicity of Anticancer Drugs on Rat Stem/Progenitor Spermatogonia In Vitro1. Biol Reprod 2010; 83:228-37. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.110.083568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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29
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Gohbara A, Katagiri K, Sato T, Kubota Y, Kagechika H, Araki Y, Araki Y, Ogawa T. In Vitro Murine Spermatogenesis in an Organ Culture System1. Biol Reprod 2010; 83:261-7. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.110.083899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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30
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An engineered 3D blood-testis barrier model for the assessment of reproductive toxicity potential. Biomaterials 2010; 31:4492-505. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2010.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2010] [Accepted: 02/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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31
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In vitro production of haploid sperm cells from male germ cells of foetal cattle. Anim Reprod Sci 2010; 118:103-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2009.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2008] [Revised: 04/26/2009] [Accepted: 06/24/2009] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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32
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Immunohistochemical and hybridocytochemical study on ghrelin signalling in the rat seminiferous epithelium. Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2010; 47:415-23. [PMID: 20164026 DOI: 10.2478/v10042-009-0097-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The results of presented study demonstrate expression of ghrelin, its functional receptor GHSR-1a and their genes in spermatogenic cells of rat testis suggesting their functioning within seminiferous epithelium. The immunohistochemical and hybrydocytochemical expression, of proteins and transcripts, was estimated taking into account the cycle of seminiferous epithelium and phases of spermatogenesis. Both transcripts and ghrelin was found to show nuclear expression and scarcely cytoplasmic. Expression of genes for ghrelin and GHSR-1a was shown in early spermatocytes and round spermatids representing transcriptional phases of meiosis and spermiogenesis. Ghrelin was evidenced to show nuclear expression in two stage-specific windows, in late spermatogonia, in spermatocytes up to early pachytenes, and again in spermatids of acrosome and early maturation phase of spermiogenesis. In late pachytenes, secondary spermatocytes, round spermatids, maturing spermatids and spermatozoa the reaction is lacking. With two types of antibodies against the GHSR-1a used the two different patterns of immunostaining was evidenced suggesting two isoforms of GHSR-1a. The first evidenced GHSR-1a in cytoplasm of spermatocytes, cell membrane and acrosomes of spermatids, Sertoli cell processes and heads of spermatozoa. With second type of antibodies the immunostaining marks all steps of evolution of acrosome in spermatids. It is believed that site of ghrelin expression in seminiferous epithelium may indicate its role in local regulations, not excepting the intracellular signalling. Immunostaining pattern for GHSR-1a seems to suggest both its participation in the cross-talk among the cells and also process of furnishing gametes with GHSR-1a for its response to ghrelin in seminal plasma or female reproductive tract.
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33
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Dimitriadis F, Giannakis D, Giotitsas N, Parldalidis N, Baltogiannis D, Saito M, Watanabe T, Gratsias S, Zikopoulos K, Pashopoulos M, Tsambalas S, Kalaboki V, Tsounapi P, Vlachopoulou E, Gekas A, Melekos M, Makridimas G, Dalkalitsis N, Georgiou I, Agapitos E, Loutradis D, Kanakas N, Miyagawa I, Sofikitis N. Post-fertilization effects of chronic renal failure in male rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 32:675-86. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2008.00929.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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34
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Banz C, von Otte S, Noack F, Diedrich K, Hornung D. Primary peritoneal carcinoma in a young woman with suspected endometriosis. Fertil Steril 2009; 92:390.e5-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2008] [Revised: 02/03/2009] [Accepted: 02/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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35
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Stukenborg JB, Schlatt S, Simoni M, Yeung CH, Elhija MA, Luetjens CM, Huleihel M, Wistuba J. New horizons for in vitro spermatogenesis? An update on novel three-dimensional culture systems as tools for meiotic and post-meiotic differentiation of testicular germ cells. Mol Hum Reprod 2009; 15:521-9. [PMID: 19561342 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gap052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Culture and differentiation of male germ cells has been performed for various purposes in the past. To date, none of the studies aimed at in vitro spermatogenesis has resulted in a sufficient number of mature gametes. Numerous studies have revealed worthy pieces of information, building up a body of information on conditions that are required to maintain and mature male germ cells in vitro. In this review, we report on previously published and unpublished experiments addressing murine germ cell differentiation in three-dimensional (3D) in vitro culture systems. In a systematic set of experiments, we examined the influence of two different matrices (soft agar and methylcellulose) as well as the need for gonadotrophin support. For the first time, we demonstrate that pre-meiotic male germ cells [revealed by the absence of meiotic marker expression (e.g. Boule)] obtained from immature mice pass through meiosis in vitro. After several weeks of culture, we obtained morphologically normal spermatozoa embedded in the matrix substance. Complete maturation relied on support from somatic testicular cells and the presence of gonadotrophins but appeared independent from the matrix in a 3D culture environment. Further research efforts are required to reveal the applicability of this culture technique for human germ cells and the functionality of the spermatozoa for generating offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Bernd Stukenborg
- Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology of the Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Münster, Domagkstrasse 11 48129, Münster, Germany
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Khattri A, Pandey RK, Gupta NJ, Chakravarty B, Deenadayal M, Singh L, Thangaraj K. Estrogen receptor beta gene mutations in Indian infertile men. Mol Hum Reprod 2009; 15:513-20. [PMID: 19509112 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gap044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that estrogens play an important role in male fertility. Estrogen signaling is mediated by Estrogen Receptors (ERalpha and ERbeta). Association of ERbeta with male infertility has not been analyzed to date except for genotyping of known polymorphisms in two different studies, which yielded controversial interpretation. Hence, we performed sequencing of all the exons and untranslated regions of ERbeta gene in 300 infertile and 255 fertile control Indian men. We identified eight novel mutations and four known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Of the eight novel mutations, four were non-synonymous, of which one was detected only in infertile men, whereas the other three mutations were detected only in fertile men. Using different bioinformatics tools, we predicted that non-synonymous mutations were benign and they neither altered the structure nor the function of the protein. Among synonymous novel mutations, one was detected in both fertile and infertile men, two were exclusive to infertile men and one was exclusive to fertile men. None of the known SNPs or novel mutations showed statistically significant difference between infertile and fertile men. Moreover, infertile men having ERbeta mutations had normal reproductive tract and serum hormone levels. Our results suggest that the SNPs and mutations in ERbeta gene are not a common cause of spermatogenesis failure in Indian men, although mutations specifically found in infertile men can affect transcription, translation or have synergic effect with other variants in causing infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Khattri
- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India
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Ferreira RC, Braga DPDAF, Bonetti TCDS, Pasqualotto FF, Iaconelli A, Borges E. Negative influence of paternal age on clinical intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle outcomes in oligozoospermic patients. Fertil Steril 2009; 93:1870-4. [PMID: 19409557 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.12.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2008] [Revised: 11/11/2008] [Accepted: 12/10/2008] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of male age on clinical outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles, according to sperm concentration. DESIGN Retrospective, observational study. SETTING Assisted reproduction center. PATIENT(S) The study included 1,024 couples undergoing ICSI cycles with fresh spermatozoa. INTERVENTION(S) The influence of paternal age on ICSI outcomes of oligozoospermic and normozoospermic patients was evaluated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Rates of high-quality embryos, pregnancy, implantation, and miscarriage were evaluated through linear logistic regression analyses. RESULT(S) When the sperm concentration was abnormal, paternal age influenced implantation (regression coefficient value = -0.7009) and pregnancy rates (odds ratio = 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.91-0.99). However, in normozoospermic patients, no influence of paternal age was observed on implantation (regression coefficient value = 0.0566) or pregnancy rates (odds ratio = 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.97-1.03). CONCLUSION(S) For couples in which the men are oligozoospermic, the implantation rate could be impaired by increased paternal age. In these couples, the chance of pregnancy decreased 5% for each year of paternal age. When men are normozoospermic, this effect is not observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Cristina Ferreira
- Sapientiae Institute, Educational and Research Center in Assisted Reproduction, São Paulo, Brazil
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Kawamoto T, Kawai K, Kodama T, Yokokura T, Niki Y. Autonomous differentiation of Drosophila spermatogonia in vitro. Dev Growth Differ 2009; 50:623-32. [PMID: 18657168 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-169x.2008.01060.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex process that produces functional sperm by establishing male germline stem cells (mGSCs) in adult testes. To study Drosophila spermatogenesis in vitro, we examined various culture conditions of spermatogonia. Spermatogonia from larval testes began to differentiate soon after culture, whereas mGSCs did not undergo self-renewal division. Strikingly, 16-cell spermatogonia from early and late larval testes differentiated into motile spermatids autonomously. Furthermore, individual spermatogonia developed into motile spermatids even after mechanical dissociation from encapsulating cyst cells. This is the first study to report that spermatogonia in larval testes retain the ability to differentiate into spermatids in the absence of gonadal tissue. Our in vitro system should provide an excellent opportunity to study spermatogenesis in detail and apply genetic manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Kawamoto
- Department of Sciences, Faculty of Science, Ibaraki University, Mito 310-8512, Japan
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Huleihel M, Abuelhija M, Lunenfeld E. In vitro culture of testicular germ cells: regulatory factors and limitations. Growth Factors 2007; 25:236-52. [PMID: 18092232 DOI: 10.1080/08977190701783400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is regulated mainly by endocrine factors and also by testicular paracrine/autocrine growth factors. These factors are produced by Sertoli cells, germ cells, peritubular cells and interstitial cells, mainly Leydig cells and macrophages. The interactions and the ratio between Sertoli and germ cells in the seminiferous tubules ensure successful spermatogenesis. In order to culture spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in vitro, researchers tried to overcome some of the obstacles -- such as the low number of stem cells in the testis, absence of specific markers to identify SSCs -- in addition to difficulties in keeping the SSCs alive in culture. Recently, some growth factors important for the proliferation and differentiation of SSCs were identified, such as glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), stem cell factor (SCF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF); also, markers for SSCs at different stages were reported. Therefore, some groups succeeded in culturing SSCs (under limitations), or more differentiated cells and even were able to produce in vitro germ cells from embryonic stem cells. Thus, success in culturing SSCs is dependent on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind self-renewal and differentiation. Culture of SSCs should be a good tool for discovering new therapeutic avenue for some infertile men or for patients undergoing chemotherapy/radiotherapy (pre-puberty or post-puberty).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Huleihel
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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Lee JH, Gye MC, Choi KW, Hong JY, Lee YB, Park DW, Lee SJ, Min CK. In vitro differentiation of germ cells from nonobstructive azoospermic patients using three-dimensional culture in a collagen gel matrix. Fertil Steril 2007; 87:824-33. [PMID: 17239867 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2005] [Revised: 09/04/2006] [Accepted: 09/04/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of the three-dimensional culture of spermatogenic cells in a collagen gel matrix from nonobstructive azoospermic patients and examine the relation between the success rate of in vitro spermatogenesis and serum FSH level as a diagnostic prediction. DESIGN Prospective study using radioimmunoassay, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry with primary cultured cells. SETTING Gynecologic clinics and human reproduction research laboratory. PATIENT(S) Primary culture of spermatogenic cells established from 18 nonobstructive azoospermic patients who underwent histologic diagnoses. INTERVENTION(S) Primary culture of spermatogenic cells in a collagen-based gel matrix, subjected to immunological and flow cytometric analyses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) In vitro culture of spermatogenic cells was established in an extracellular milieu that more closely resembled the in vivo condition. The number of chromosomes in newly generated cells during culture was determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) and immunocytochemical analysis. Effects of FSH on the differentiation of the spermatogenic cells were measured. RESULT(S) Results of histologic studies indicated that 8 of 18 patients showed the spermatocyte arrest. Immunocytochemical and FACS analysis indicated that after 12 days in culture, haploid cells comprised 11%-37% of the cultured cell population with a characteristic expression of a cellular marker for spermatids. The serum level of FSH appeared to be closely correlated with an increase in the number of haploid cells in culture. CONCLUSION(S) The present three-dimensional culture in a collagen gel matrix provides a suitable means by which spermatocytes could be induced to differentiate into presumptive spermatids in vitro. In addition, the plasma FSH level could be a good indicator for the success of differentiation of cultured spermatogenic cells obtained from patients with spermatogenic arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Ho Lee
- Laboratory of IVF, MDplus LIS, Suwon, South Korea
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Georgiou I, Syrrou M, Pardalidis N, Karakitsios K, Mantzavinos T, Giotitsas N, Loutradis D, Dimitriadis F, Saito M, Miyagawa I, Tzoumis P, Sylakos A, Kanakas N, Moustakareas T, Baltogiannis D, Touloupides S, Giannakis D, Fatouros M, Sofikitis N. Genetic and epigenetic risks of intracytoplasmic sperm injection method. Asian J Androl 2007; 8:643-73. [PMID: 17111067 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7262.2006.00231.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancies achieved by assisted reproduction technologies, particularly by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures, are susceptible to genetic risks inherent to the male population treated with ICSI and additional risks inherent to this innovative procedure. The documented, as well as the theoretical, risks are discussed in the present review study. These risks mainly represent that consequences of the genetic abnormalities underlying male subfertility (or infertility) and might become stimulators for the development of novel approaches and applications in the treatment of infertility. In addition, risks with a polygenic background appearing at birth as congenital anomalies and other theoretical or stochastic risks are discussed. Recent data suggest that assisted reproductive technology might also affect epigenetic characteristics of the male gamete, the female gamete, or might have an impact on early embryogenesis. It might be also associated with an increased risk for genomic imprinting abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Georgiou
- Laboratory of Molecular Urology and Genetics of Human Reproduction, Department of Urology, Ioannina University School of Medicine, Ioannina 45110, Greece
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Bibliography. Current world literature. Minimally invasive gynecologic procedures. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2006; 18:464-7. [PMID: 16794430 DOI: 10.1097/01.gco.0000233944.74672.e0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Noguchi J, Ohnuma K, Ozawa M, Karja NWK, Fahrudin M, Somfai T, Kikuchi K, Kaneko H. Successful long term culture of immature porcine sertoli cells in the reconstructed testicular cell cord. J Reprod Dev 2006; 52:383-9. [PMID: 16518080 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.17075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The ultimate goal of this study was to establish an in vitro system to produce sperms. To pursue this goal, immature porcine testicular cells were cultured in stereostructural form and cultured testicular cord was investigated morphologically. At 4 weeks of age, the seminiferous tubules of the porcine testes consisted of undifferentiated germ cells (gonocytes and undifferentiated spermatogonia) and immature Sertoli cells. The interstitial tissue was largely occupied by Leydig cells. The testes were enzymatically digested, and the dispersed cells were encapsulated with alginate either immediately or after freeze-thawing. The resulting testicular cell cords were cultured for up to 10 weeks. After 2 weeks of culture, Sertoli cells, which were identified by their inhibin-positive reaction in immunohistochemistry, and Leydig cells, which were identified by their morphological characteristics, were observed in the cords. Neither undifferentiated nor differentiated types of germ cells were detected. The number of cells in the cords progressively decreased during the culture period. In order to discover the fate of the Sertoli cells, the level of inhibin in the spent media was determined. Inhibin in the media was at a detectable level after 2 days of culture. The levels increased and peaked at 2 weeks. When frozen-thawed testicular cells were applied to the culture, the peak level was maintained for over 8 weeks, in contrast to the gradual decrease of inhibin level when fresh cells were cultured. These results indicate that the culture conditions can sustain the survival of Sertoli cells. Further improvement is required for proliferation and differentiation of germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Noguchi
- Germ Cell Conservation Laboratory, Genetic Diversity Department, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
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Roulet V, Denis H, Staub C, Le Tortorec A, Delaleu B, Satie AP, Patard JJ, Jégou B, Dejucq-Rainsford N. Human testis in organotypic culture: application for basic or clinical research. Hum Reprod 2006; 21:1564-75. [PMID: 16497692 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/del018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over recent decades, recurring efforts have been devoted to developing testicular cell or tissue cultures for basic and clinical research. However, there remains much confusion, particularly concerning the fate of human germ cells in culture. OBJECTIVE To reassess the status of human testicular cell types as well as the ability of germ cells to divide and differentiate in organotypic culture. METHODS Human testicular fragments were maintained for 2 weeks in culture. The viability and functionality of testicular cells were assessed using light and electronic microscopy, apoptotic cell labelling, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR against specific cell markers. RESULTS A gradual loss of meiotic and post-meiotic germ cells occurred throughout the culture period, irrespective of the presence of gonadotrophins. However, all germ cell types remained traceable for up to 16 days, some still dividing and differentiating at a rate compatible with the in vivo situation. Good maintenance of the general architecture of the explants associated with clearly quantifiable levels of several somatic cell markers was observed. CONCLUSION Although this culture model is clearly unsuitable for preparing germ cells for therapeutic purposes, it does represent a most valuable tool for testing the effects of biological and chemical agents on testicular tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Roulet
- INSERM, U625, GERHM, Campus de Beaulieu, Rennes, France
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