ABSTRACT
A complete reconstruction of spermatogenesis in vitro under fully defined conditions still has not been achieved. However, many techniques have been proposed to get closer to that aim. Here we review the current progress in the field. At first, we describe the most successful technique, the organ culture method, which allows to produce functional haploid cells. However, this method is based on the culturing of intact testis tissue with unknown factors acting inside it. Then we discuss different types of 3D-cultures where specific testicular cell populations may be aggregated and the impact of each cell population may be examined. Unfortunately, germ cell development does not proceed further than the pachytene stage of meiosis there, with rare exceptions. Finally, we describe recent studies that focus on germ cells in a conventional adherent cell culture. Such studies thoroughly examine issues with in vitro meiosis and provide insight into the mechanisms of meiotic initiation.
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.
Subject(s)
Spermatogonia/cytology , Animals , Cell Differentiation/physiology , Coculture Techniques , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Sertoli Cells , Spermatogenesis/physiology , Testis/cytologyABSTRACT
This study explores the effect of transplantation of undifferentiated Sertoli cells in the testicular tissue of an experimental animal model of bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism. Effectiveness of undifferentiated Sertoli cell transplantation was assessed after 1 and 3 months after injection. Partial restoration of seminiferous tubules was found to occur after transplantation. In a third of them germ cells of all stages of the differentiation were discovered while they were not found in the control group.
Subject(s)
Cryptorchidism , Sertoli Cells , Spermatogenesis , Animals , Cryptorchidism/therapy , Humans , Male , Models, Theoretical , Seminiferous Tubules , Sertoli Cells/transplantation , Testis , Transplantation, HomologousABSTRACT
The regeneration potential of differentiated Sertoli cells subjected to thermal treatment was studied by the method of cell transplantation. Cells from mice with artificial cryptorchism (1.5 months after fixation of the testes in the body) and after culturing (10 days, 37°C) were transplanted. Transplantation of Sertoli cells from 2-3-month-old and 2-day-old mice served as controls. The cells were transplanted into the testes of recipient mice, from which sex cells and Sertoli cells were removed by busulfan and cadmium salt treatment. Adult mouse Sertoli cells exposed to thermal treatment exhibited much higher regeneration potential than intact cells. Two months after transplantation, mature Sertoli cells subjected to thermal treatment populated the recipient testicular tubules, formed new tubules, and in some cases supported the development of sex cells similarly as immature cells from newborn mice.
Subject(s)
Cryptorchidism/therapy , Sertoli Cells/physiology , Sertoli Cells/transplantation , Animals , Cell Proliferation , Cells, Cultured , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Inbred CBA , Mice, Transgenic , Regeneration , Seminiferous Tubules/pathology , Sertoli Cells/pathology , TemperatureSubject(s)
Aging, Premature/metabolism , Chromosome Aberrations/drug effects , Mutagens/toxicity , Spermatogenesis/drug effects , Spermatogonia/metabolism , Aging, Premature/genetics , Aging, Premature/pathology , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Male , Mice , Mutagens/administration & dosage , Seminiferous Epithelium/metabolism , Seminiferous Epithelium/pathology , Spermatogenesis/genetics , Spermatogonia/pathologySubject(s)
Aging, Premature/pathology , Spermatogenesis , Spermatogonia/pathology , Testis/pathology , Animals , Male , Mice , Mice, Mutant Strains , Sperm CountSubject(s)
Aging/genetics , Genomic Instability/genetics , Spermatozoa/metabolism , Aging, Premature/genetics , Animals , Chromatin/metabolism , DNA/analysis , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Disease Models, Animal , Germ-Line Mutation/genetics , Histocytochemistry , Male , Mice , Sperm Head/metabolism , Spermatids/chemistry , Spermatids/cytology , Spermatogenesis/genetics , Spermatozoa/chemistry , Spermatozoa/growth & development , Testis/cytology , Testis/metabolismABSTRACT
The quantitative micronucleus test showed that the natural dipeptide carnosine increases the count of aberrant spermatogonia and round spermatids in the testes in SAMR1 mice resistant to accelerated aging by 64 and 85%, respectively, compared to the control. However, this agent did not modify the incidence of chromosome mutations in spermatogenic cells in SAMP1 mice predisposed to accelerated aging.
