Male germline stem cells: from mice to men.
The production of functional male gametes is dependent on the continuous activity of germline stem cells. The availability of a transplantation assay system to unequivocally identify male germline stem cells has allowed their in vitro culture, cryopreservation, and genetic modification. Moreover, the system has enabled the identification of conditions and factors involved in stem cell self-renewal, the foundation of spermatogenesis, and the production of spermatozoa. The increased knowledge about these cells is also of great potential practical value, for example, for the possible cryopreservation of stem cells from boys undergoing treatment for cancer to safeguard their germ line.
Brinster
Ralph L
RL
Department of Animal Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D015925:Cryopreservation; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology
D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor