title: Generation and in vitro differentiation of a spermatogonial cell line.
abstract: Spermatogenesis is the process by which spermatogonial stem cells divide and differentiate to produce sperm. In vitro sperm production has been difficult to achieve because of the lack of a culture system to maintain viable spermatogonia for long periods of time. Here we report the in vitro generation of spermatocytes and spermatids from telomerase-immortalized mouse type A spermatogonial cells in the presence of stem cell factor. This differentiation can occur in the absence of supportive cells. The immortalized spermatogonial cell line may serve as a powerful tool in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of spermatogenesis. Furthermore, through genomic modification and transplantation techniques, this male germ cell line may be used to generate transgenic mice and to develop germ cell gene therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
authors.forename: Li-Xin
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Yali
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dettin
authors.forename: Renee A Reijo
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pera
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Herr
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dym
mesh_terms: D000176:Acrosin / Q000235:genetics; D000177:Acrosome / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002999:Clone Cells; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011003:Ploidies; D013087:Spermatids / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D013573:Synaptonemal Complex / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D019098:Telomerase; D000176:Acrosin