title: Use of confocal microscopy for the study of spermatogenesis.
abstract: Spermatogenesis consists of spermatogonial proliferation, meiosis and spermatid differentiation. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) may be used as an advanced analytical tool to follow spermatogenesis inside the seminiferous tubules without performing histological sections. For this purpose, separated seminiferous tubules are fixed in 0.5% paraformaldehyde, stained for DNA with propidium iodide and analyzed by LSCM. By producing longitudinal optical sections in the layer of spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids, stage-specific changes in their structure may be followed within the tubules by LSCM. Longitudinal z-sections may be obtained to produce three-dimensional images of the seminiferous tubules. In addition, different proteins may be followed during spermatogenesis in a stage specific manner within the tubule by incubation of the fixed seminiferous tubules with appropriate antibodies. As an example of the spermatogenesis studies using described LSCM techniques, detailed examination of spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids during golden hamster spermatogenesis is presented. LSCM analysis of c-kit and SC3 protein expression at different stages of hamster spermatogenesis is demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel. mvigodne@popcbr.rockefeller.edu
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vigodner
authors.forename: Lawrence M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lewin
authors.forename: Tova
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Glaser
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shochat
authors.forename: Leonid
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mittelman
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Golan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006224:Cricetinae; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D013087:Spermatids / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D016707:Tissue Fixation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004247:DNA; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit