In vitro culture facilitates the selection of healthy spermatids for assisted reproduction.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential usefulness of in vitro culture of germ cells for distinguishing between healthy and apoptotic spermatids.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Private assisted reproduction laboratories and a university department.


METHODS
Men with secretory azoospermia who were candidates for assisted reproductive treatment.


METHODS
Testicular biopsy samples were cultured in the presence of FSH and testosterone for 48 hours. Germ cell apoptosis before and after culture was evaluated by terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling.


METHODS
The percentage of germ cells at different stages of spermatogenesis that showed apoptosis-related DNA damage.


RESULTS
In fresh samples, high levels of apoptosis were detected at those stages of spermatogenesis at which major developmental blocks occurred, with a maximum at the most advanced stage detected. In contrast, apoptotic cells were considerably less well represented at the most advanced stage after culture.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to the previously described facilitation of spermatid recognition and the progression of cytoplasmic maturation, in vitro culture of germ cells is useful to overcome the danger of inadvertent use of apoptotic spermatids for assisted reproduction.
Tesarik
J
J
Laboratoire d'Eylau, Paris, France. cmendoza@goliat.ugr.es
Mendoza
C
C
Greco
E
E
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012099:Reproductive Techniques; D013087:Spermatids / Q000166:cytology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology*