Spermatogenesis following male germ-cell transplantation.
In the adult male, a population of diploid stem-cell spermatogonia continuously undergoes self-renewal and produces progeny cells, which initiate the complex process of cellular differentiation that results in mature spermatozoa. We report here that stem cells isolated from testes of donor male mice will repopulate sterile testes when injected into seminiferous tubules. Donor cell spermatogenesis in recipient testes showed normal morpholigical characteristics and produced mature spermatozoa. This methodology, besides opening new avenues of basic research into spermatogenesis and stem-cell self-renewal, may prove useful as a tool for biomedical science and biotechnology.
Brinster
R L
RL
Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
Zimmermann
J W
JW
D000818:Animals; D002066:Busulfan; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008845:Microinjections; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000166:cytology; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000637:transplantation*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology
D002066:Busulfan