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Wang D, Hildorf S, Ntemou E, Dong L, Pors SE, Mamsen LS, Fedder J, Hoffmann ER, Clasen-Linde E, Cortes D, Thorup J, Andersen CY. Characterization and Survival of Human Infant Testicular Cells After Direct Xenotransplantation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:853482. [PMID: 35360067 PMCID: PMC8960121 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.853482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryopreservation of prepubertal testicular tissue preserves spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) that may be used to restore fertility in men at risk of infertility due to gonadotoxic treatments for either a malignant or non-malignant disease. Spermatogonial stem cell-based transplantation is a promising fertility restoration technique. Previously, we performed xenotransplantation of propagated SSCs from prepubertal testis and found human SSCs colonies within the recipient testes six weeks post-transplantation. In order to avoid the propagation step of SSCs in vitro that may cause genetic and epigenetic changes, we performed direct injection of single cell suspension in this study, which potentially may be safer and easier to be applied in future clinical applications. METHODS Testis biopsies were obtained from 11 infant boys (median age 1.3 years, range 0.5-3.5) with cryptorchidism. Following enzymatic digestion, dissociated single-cell suspensions were prelabeled with green fluorescent dye and directly transplanted into seminiferous tubules of busulfan-treated mice. Six to nine weeks post-transplantation, the presence of gonocytes and SSCs was determined by whole-mount immunofluorescence for a number of germ cell markers (MAGEA, GAGE, UCHL1, SALL4, UTF1, and LIN28), somatic cell markers (SOX9, CYP17A1). RESULTS Following xenotransplantation human infant germ cells, consisting of gonocytes and SSCs, were shown to settle on the basal membrane of the recipient seminiferous tubules and form SSC colonies with expression of MAGEA, GAGE, UCHL1, SALL4, UTF1, and LIN28. The colonization efficiency was approximately 6%. No human Sertoli cells were detected in the recipient mouse testes. CONCLUSION Xenotransplantation, without in vitro propagation, of testicular cell suspensions from infant boys with cryptorchidism resulted in colonization of mouse seminiferous tubules six to nine weeks post-transplantation. Spermatogonial stem cell-based transplantation could be a therapeutic treatment for infertility of prepubertal boys with cryptorchidism and boys diagnosed with cancer. However, more studies are required to investigate whether the low number of the transplanted SSC is sufficient to secure the presence of sperm in the ejaculate of those patients over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danyang Wang
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Danyang Wang,
| | - Simone Hildorf
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elissavet Ntemou
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lihua Dong
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanne Elisabeth Pors
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Linn Salto Mamsen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Fedder
- Centre of Andrology & Fertility Clinic, Department D, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
- Research Unit of Human Reproduction, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Eva R. Hoffmann
- Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF) Center for Chromosome Stability, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Erik Clasen-Linde
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dina Cortes
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Thorup
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Awang-Junaidi AH, Honaramooz A. Optimization of culture conditions for short-term maintenance, proliferation, and colony formation of porcine gonocytes. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2018; 9:8. [PMID: 29372053 PMCID: PMC5771198 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-017-0222-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Gonocytes give rise to spermatogonial stem cells, and thereby play an essential role in establishing spermatogenesis. Optimized culture conditions for gonocytes provide an opportunity for their study and in vitro manipulation for potential application in reproductive technologies. Using six experiments in a step-wise design, we examined the effects of several culture conditions on the maintenance, proliferation, and colony formation of porcine gonocytes. Testis cells from neonatal piglets were cultured for 7 d in DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. The examined culture conditions included using different cell seeding densities, gonocyte proportions, incubation temperatures, sampling strategies, and medium changing regimens. Results Confluency of cells was optimal (>90% by ~6 d) when 3.0 × 104 testis cells/cm2 containing ~40% gonocytes were used. Incubating the cells at 35 °C or 37 °C resulted in similar cell number and viability at confluency, but incubation at 35 °C resulted in a delayed confluency. In the first 2 d of culture, gonocytes remained mostly floating in the medium and gradually settled over the next 5 d. Consequently, not changing the medium for 7 d (as opposed to changing it every 2 d) led to a significant increase in the number of gonocyte colonies by reducing the loss of “floating gonocytes”. Conclusion We found that gonocytes require the presence of a critical minimum number of somatic cells for settlement, and can proliferate and form growing colonies even in a basic medium. Large numbers of viable gonocytes remain floating in the medium for several days. The optimized culture conditions in the present study included seeding with 3.0 × 104 testis cells/cm2 containing ~40% gonocytes, incubating at 37 °C, and without changing the medium in the first week, which can result in improved colony formation of porcine gonocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awang Hazmi Awang-Junaidi
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4 Canada
| | - Ali Honaramooz
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4 Canada
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Zheng Y, He Y, An J, Qin J, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Tian X, Zeng W. THY1 is a surface marker of porcine gonocytes. Reprod Fertil Dev 2014; 26:533-9. [PMID: 23683542 DOI: 10.1071/rd13075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2012] [Accepted: 03/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonocytes are important for the study of spermatogenesis. Identification and isolation of gonocytes has been reported in rodents but not in pigs due to a lack of molecular markers for gonocytes. The objective of this study was to identify THY1 expression in porcine testicular tissue and subsequently utilise THY1 as a marker to isolate and enrich porcine gonocytes from testes of newborn piglets. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that THY1 was expressed in gonocytes. Double-immunofluorescent analysis of THY1 and ZBTB16 indicated that THY1 and ZBTB16 were partially co-localised in gonocytes. Double-immunofluorescent analysis of both THY1 and GATA4 suggested that THY1(+) cells were not Sertoli cells. Magnetic-activated cell sorting of THY1(+) cells yielded a cell population with an enrichment of UCHL1(+) gonocytes 3.4-fold of that of the unsorted testicular cell population. Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses confirmed that the selected THY1(+) fraction had a higher expression of UCHL1 than the unsorted cells. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that THY1 is a surface marker of gonocytes in testes of pre-pubertal boars and could be utilised to identify and isolate porcine gonocytes. The findings will also facilitate culture and manipulation of male germline stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Ying He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Junhui An
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Jinzhou Qin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Yihan Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Yaqing Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Xiue Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Wenxian Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
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4
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Abstract
Spermatogenesis, an elaborate and male-specific process in adult testes by which a number of spermatozoa are produced constantly for male fertility, relies on spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). As a sub-population of undifferentiated spermatogonia, SSCs are capable of both self-renewal (to maintain sufficient quantities) and differentiation into mature spermatozoa. SSCs are able to convert to pluripotent stem cells during in vitro culture, thus they could function as substitutes for human embryonic stem cells without ethical issues. In addition, this process does not require exogenous transcription factors necessary to produce induced-pluripotent stem cells from somatic cells. Moreover, combining genetic engineering with germ cell transplantation would greatly facilitate the generation of transgenic animals. Since germ cell transplantation into infertile recipient testes was first established in 1994, in vivo and in vitro study and manipulation of SSCs in rodent testes have been progressing at a staggering rate. By contrast, their counterparts in domestic animals, despite the failure to reach a comparable level, still burgeoned and showed striking advances. This review outlines the recent progressions of characterization, isolation, in vitro propagation, and transplantation of spermatogonia/SSCs from domestic animals, thereby shedding light on future exploration of these cells with high value, as well as contributing to the development of reproductive technology for large animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
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Eckardt S, Dinger TC, Kurosaka S, Leu NA, Müller AM, McLaughlin KJ. In vivo and in vitro differentiation of uniparental embryonic stem cells into hematopoietic and neural cell types. Organogenesis 2012; 4:33-41. [PMID: 19279713 DOI: 10.4161/org.6123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2007] [Accepted: 04/16/2008] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The biological role of genomic imprinting in adult tissue is central to the consideration of transplanting uniparental embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived tissues. We have recently shown that both maternal (parthenogenetic/gynogenetic) and paternal (androgenetic) uniparental ES cells can differentiate, both in vivo in chimeras and in vitro, into adult-repopulating hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. This suggests that, at least in some tissues, the presence of two maternal or two paternal genomes does not interfere with stem cell function and tissue homeostasis in the adult. Here, we consider implications of the contribution of uniparental cells to hematopoiesis and to development of other organ systems, notably neural tissue for which consequences of genomic imprinting are associated with a known bias in development and behavioral disorders. Our findings so far indicate that there is little or no limit to the differentiation potential of uniparental ES cells outside the normal developmental paradigm. As a potentially donor MHC-matching source of tissue, uniparental transplants may provide not only a clinical resource but also a unique tool to investigate aspects of genomic imprinting in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Eckardt
- Center for Animal Transgenesis and Germ Cell Research; New Bolton Center; University of Pennsylvania; Kennett Square, Pennsylvania USA
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Abstract
Cell transplantation into the seminiferous tubules is a useful technique for the study of physiological and pathological conditions affecting the testis. However, the precise three-dimensional organization and, particularly, the complex connectivity of the seminiferous network have not yet been thoroughly characterized. To date, the technical approaches to address these issues have included manual dissection under the stereomicroscope, reconstruction of histological serial sections, and injection of contrast dyes, but all of them have yielded only partial information. Here, using an approach based on the microinjection of a self-polymerizing resin followed by chemical digestion of the surrounding soft tissues, we reveal fine details of the seminiferous tubule scaffold and its connections. These replicas of the testis seminiferous network were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The present results not only establish a morphological basis for more precise microinjection into the mouse seminiferous tubules but also enable a more profound investigation of physiological and embryological features of the testis.
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Yang Y, Honaramooz A. Efficient purification of neonatal porcine gonocytes with Nycodenz and differential plating. Reprod Fertil Dev 2011; 23:496-505. [DOI: 10.1071/rd10042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2010] [Accepted: 11/01/2010] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonocytes are the only type of germ cells present in the postnatal testis and give rise to spermatogonial stem cells. Purification of gonocytes has important implications for the study and manipulation of these cells and may provide insights for the ongoing investigation of the male germline stem cells. To obtain a pure population of gonocytes from piglet testis cells, a wide range of Nycodenz concentrations were investigated for density gradient centrifugation. We also examined differential plating of testis cells for various culture durations with different extracellular matrix (ECM) components (fibronectin, poly-d-lysine, poly-l-lysine, laminin and collagen Types I and IV). Gonocytes were highly enriched in pellets of testis cells after using 17% Nycodenz centrifugation to a purity of 81 ± 9%. After culturing testis cells on plates precoated with different ECM components for 120 min, the proportion of gonocytes increased among non-adherent cells (suspended in the medium), with fibronectin or poly-d-lysine resulting in the greatest (up to 85%) and laminin in the lowest (54%) gonocyte proportion. Combining the most promising ECM coatings (fibronectin and poly-d-lysine) and further extension of their culture duration to 240 min did not improve final gonocyte purity. However, centrifugation with 17% Nycodenz followed by differential plating with fibronectin and poly-d-lysine coating further purified gonocytes among the collected cells to >90%. These results provide a simple, quick and efficient approach for obtaining highly enriched populations of piglet gonocytes for use in the study and manipulation of these germline stem cells.
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8
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Zhang Z, Shao S, Shetty G, Meistrich ML. Donor Sertoli cells transplanted into irradiated rat testes stimulate partial recovery of endogenous spermatogenesis. Reproduction 2009; 137:497-508. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-08-0120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Irradiation of rat testes leads to the failure to support differentiation of the surviving spermatogonia due to damage of the somatic environment. To determine the involvement of Sertoli cells in this somatic damage, we transplanted seminiferous tubule cells from normal immature GFP-transgenic rats into the testes of irradiated rats. The donor Sertoli cells colonized and developed in the host testes. In many seminiferous tubules, the donor Sertoli cells formed abnormal spherical structures in the lumen, but in some tubules they formed a normal-appearing epithelium, but with only isolated spermatogonia, on the basement membrane. When the donor cells were injected into the interstitial region of the testis, they formed tubule-like structures containing Sertoli cells and occasional isolated spermatogonia, both of donor origin. Surprisingly, in host tubules adjacent to these newly formed donor-cell tubules or adjacent to the endogenous tubules with abnormal donor Sertoli-cell structures, endogenous spermatogonia differentiated to the spermatocyte or even to spermatid stages. Around these newly donor cell-formed tubules and the host tubules with abnormal donor Sertoli-cell structures, many cells including macrophages, which perhaps represented chronic inflammation, accumulated in the interstitium. We conclude that the donor Sertoli cells that colonized the seminiferous tubules did not directly support recovery of spermatogenesis. Instead, the colonizing Sertoli cells acted indirectly on the interstitium to stimulate localized differentiation of endogenous spermatogonia.
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Chuma S, Kanatsu-Shinohara M, Inoue K, Ogonuki N, Miki H, Toyokuni S, Hosokawa M, Nakatsuji N, Ogura A, Shinohara T. Spermatogenesis from epiblast and primordial germ cells following transplantation into postnatal mouse testis. Development 2005; 132:117-22. [PMID: 15576408 DOI: 10.1242/dev.01555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are derived from a population of pluripotent epiblast cells in mice. However, little is known about when and how PGCs acquire the capacity to differentiate into functional germ cells, while keeping the potential to derive pluripotent embryonic germ cells and teratocarcinomas. In this investigation, we show that epiblast cells and PGCs can establish colonies of spermatogenesis after transfer into postnatal seminiferous tubules of surrogate infertile mice. Furthermore, we obtained normal fertile offspring by microinsemination using spermatozoa or spermatids derived from PGCs harvested from fetuses as early as 8.5 days post coitum. Thus, fetal male germ cell development is remarkably flexible, and the maturation process, from epiblast cells through PGCs to postnatal spermatogonia, can occur in the postnatal testicular environment. Primordial germ cell transplantation techniques will also provide a novel tool to assess the developmental potential of PGCs, such as those manipulated in vitro or recovered from embryos harboring lethal mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinichiro Chuma
- Department of Development and Differentiation, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
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Kanatsu-Shinohara M, Morimoto T, Toyokuni S, Shinohara T. Regulation of Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cell Self-Renewing Division by the Pituitary Gland1. Biol Reprod 2004; 70:1731-7. [PMID: 14766726 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.103.025668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis originates in spermatogonial stem cells, which have the unique mode of replication. It is considered that a single stem cell can produce two stem cells (self-renewing division), one stem and one differentiating (asymmetric division), or two differentiating cells (differentiating division). However, little is known regarding how each type of division is regulated. In this investigation, we focused on the analysis of self- renewing division and examined the effect of the pituitary gland using two models of stem cell self-renewing division. In the first experiment using newborn mice, the administration of GnRH- analogue, which represses the release of gonadotropin, reduced the number of stem cells during postnatal testicular development, suggesting that the pituitary gland enhances stem cell self- renewing division. In the second experiment, however, the number of stem cells increased dramatically in hypophysectomized adult recipients after spermatogonial transplantation. Thus, the pituitary gland affects the self-renewing division of stem cells, but these contradictory results suggest that its role may be different depending on the stage of the testicular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mito Kanatsu-Shinohara
- Horizontal Medical Research Organization, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan
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11
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Abstract
The continuous production of mammalian sperm is maintained by the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells that originate from primordial germ cells (PGCs) in the early embryo. Although spermatogonial stem cells arise from PGCs, it is not clear whether fetal male germ cells function as spermatogonial stem cells able to produce functional sperm. In the present study, we examined the timing and mechanisms of the commitment of fetal germ cells to differentiate into spermatogonial stem cells by transplantation techniques. Transplantation of fetal germ cells into the seminiferous tubules of adult testis showed that donor germ cells, at 14.5 days postcoitum (dpc), were able to initiate spermatogenesis in the adult recipient seminiferous tubules, whereas no germ cell differentiation was observed in the transplantation of 12.5-dpc germ cells. These results indicate that the commitment of fetal germ cells to differentiate into spermatogonial stem cells initiates between embryonic days 12.5 and 14.5. Furthermore, the results suggest the importance of the interaction between germ cells and somatic cells in the determination of fetal germ cell differentiation into spermatogonial stem cells, as normal spermatogenesis was observed when a 12.5-dpc whole gonad was transplanted into adult recipient testis. In addition, sperm obtained from the 12.5- dpc male gonadal explant had the ability to develop normally if injected into the cytoplasm of oocytes, indicating that normal development of fetal germ cells in fetal gonadal explant occurred in the adult testicular environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Ohta
- Department of Science for Laboratory Animal Experimentation, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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12
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Abstract
The lumen of the seminiferous tubules has hitherto been regarded as an immunologically privileged site. We report here the birth of young following transplantation of stem spermatogonia from Long-Evans rats to the seminiferous tubules of Sprague-Dawley rats after treatment with the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporin. Follicle-stimulating hormone was also given to stimulate Sertoli cell proliferation, and testosterone to stimulate the recovery of spermatogenesis. Donor germ cells underwent normal spermatogenesis, and progeny were repeatedly produced from the donor germ cells as demonstrated by microsatellite paternity analysis. In addition, donor germ cells from the cryptorchid testes of LacZ mice were also able to colonize the seminiferous tubules of Sprague-Dawley rats using this protocol. Morphologically normal rat and mouse spermatozoa were present in the epididymis and vas deferens of the recipient rats. This highlights the potential for transplantation of male germ cells between different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhang
- Departments of Zoology Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010 Australia
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13
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Abstract
The niche is considered to play an important role in stem cell biology. Sertoli cells are the only somatic cells in the seminiferous tubule that closely interact with germ cells to create a favorable environment for spermatogenesis. However, little is known about how Sertoli cells develop to form the male germ line niche. We report here that Sertoli cells recovered and dissociated from testes of donor male mice can be microinjected into recipient testes, form mature seminiferous tubule structures, and support spermatogenesis. Sertoli cells from perinatal donors had a dramatically greater capacity for generating seminiferous tubules than those from adult donors. Furthermore, transplantation of wild-type Sertoli cells into infertile Steel/Steel(dickie) testes created a permissive testicular microenvironment for generating spermatogenesis and spermatozoa. Thus, our results demonstrate that the male germ line stem cell niche can be transferred between animals. In addition, the technique provides a novel tool with which to analyze spermatogenesis and might provide a mechanism for correcting fertility in males suffering from supporting cell defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Shinohara
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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14
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Abstract
The ability to isolate, manipulate, and transplant spermatogonial stem cells provides a unique opportunity to modify the germline. We used the rat-to-nude mouse transplantation assay to characterize spermatogonial stem cell activity in rat testes and in culture. Our results indicate that rat spermatogonial stem cells can survive and proliferate in short-term culture, although a net loss of stem cells was observed. Rat spermatogonial stem cells also were susceptible to transduction with a retroviral vector carrying a lacZ reporter transgene. Using a 3-day periodic infection protocol, 0.5% of stem cells originally cultured were transduced and produced transgenic colonies of spermatogenesis in recipient mouse testes. The level of transgenic donor-derived spermatogenesis observed in the rat-to-mouse transplantation was similar to levels that produced transgenic progeny in the mouse-to-mouse transplantation. This work provides a basis for understanding the biology of rat spermatogonial stem cells. Development of an optimal rat recipient testis model and application of these methods for germline modification will enable the production of transgenic rats, potentially valuable tools for evaluating genes and their functions. In addition, these methods may be applicable in other species where existing transgenic methods are inefficient or not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle E Orwig
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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15
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Abstract
To develop techniques for spermatogonial transplantation in bulls, it is essential to have an effective bioassay procedure to evaluate the transplantation efficiency of spermatogonial stem cell collection, purification, and culture techniques. The objective of the present study was to develop a mouse bioassay model to evaluate transplantation efficiency of fresh and cultured bovine germ cells. Bull calves of four ages (1, 2, 3, and 4 mo) were used as a source of donor testes cells. Two calves were used for each age point, one calf was experimentally made cryptorchidistic at 1 wk of age and the other left normal. A STO (mouse fibroblast) feeder cell line was used to culture bovine testes cells for 2 wk preceding transfer into recipient testes. Immunodeficient nude mice (nu/nu) in which endogenous spermatogenesis had been abolished by busulfan treatment served as recipient animals for transplantation. Donor bovine germ cells were microinjected into mouse seminiferous tubules. Mouse testes were analyzed 2 wk after transplant with the use of a bovine-specific antibody and whole-mount immunohistochemistry for the presence of bovine donor germ cells. Bovine testis cells were present in all recipient mouse testes analyzed. Fresh bovine testes cells were observed as colonies of round cells within mouse seminiferous tubules, indicating spermatogonial expansion and colonization; however, cultured bovine testes cells appeared as fibrous tissue and not as spermatogenic colonies. The average number of colonies resulting from donor cryptorchid testes was not different (P > 0.05) from noncryptorchid, 56+/-4 and 78+/-7, respectively. Fresh donor cells from calves older than 1 mo gave rise to a greater average number of colonies within recipient testes (P <0.05) (1 mo, 33+/-4; 2 mo, 70+/-8; 3 mo, 63+/-6; 4 mo, 87+/-9). Fresh bovine germ cells are capable of colonization in the busulfan-treated nude mouse testis, making it a suitable model for evaluation and development of spermatogonial transplant techniques in bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Oatley
- Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman 99164, USA
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16
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Abstract
Spermatogonial transplantation as developed in the laboratory of Ralph Brinster has been a technological breakthrough in the study of Sertoli-germ cell interactions. For the first time, germ cells can be transferred from one animal to another and from one species to another. The transfer technology combined with developments in freezing germ cells, long-term culture of germ cells, and enrichment of stem cell populations portend even more significant breakthroughs in the new millennium. The ultimate application of germ cell transfer would allow the in vitro genetic manipulation of cultured stem cells that could then be transplanted into recipient syngeneic or xenogeneic recipients and give rise to functional male gametes. Clearly, this achievement would have applications in basic science, human medicine, and domestic and wild animal reproduction. While progress in this direction has been significant and swift, significant barriers such as immunological response and mechanisms for introducing genetic material into the stem cells remain to be examined. This report is a chronological review of the technological advances made and conceptual insights gained since the first report of successful transplantation in 1994.
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Affiliation(s)
- L D Russell
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
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17
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Abstract
Testis cell transplantation from mice or rats into recipient mouse seminiferous tubules results in donor cell-derived spermatogenesis in nearly all host testes. Normal spermatozoa are produced and, in the most successful mouse transplantations, the donor haplotype is transmitted to progeny of the recipient. However, few studies have been performed in other species. In this report, we demonstrate that rat and mouse testis cells will generate donor cell-derived spermatogenesis in recipient rat seminiferous tubules. Depletion of endogenous spermatogenesis before donor cell transplantation was more difficult in rat than reported for mouse recipients. A protocol employing treatment of neonatal rats with busulfan was most effective in preparing recipients and allowed more than 90% of testes to be colonized by donor cells. Transplantation of mouse testis cells into rat seminiferous tubules was most successful in recipients made cryptorchid and treated with busulfan. In the best experiments, about 55% of rat testes were colonized by mouse cells. Both rat and mouse donor cell-derived spermatogenesis were improved by treatment of rat recipients with leuprolide, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist. The studies indicated that recipient preparation for spermatogonial stem cell transplantation was critical in the rat and differs from the mouse. However, modification of currently used techniques should allow male germ line stem cell transplantation in many species.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ogawa
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104-6009, USA
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