Computer-assisted motility analysis of spermatozoa obtained after spermatogonial stem cell transplantation in the mouse.
OBJECTIVE
To study the motility characteristics of epididymal spermatozoa after spermatogonial stem cell transplantation.


METHODS
Testicular cells from fertile donor mice were transplanted to the testis of genetically sterile recipient mice. Three to nine months later, the epididymal spermatozoa were isolated and used for a computer-assisted sperm motility analysis. Spermatozoa from fertile adult mice were used as control.


METHODS
Murine transplantation model in an academic research environment.


METHODS
Donors, 6-day-old male C57Bl x WBRej F1 mice; acceptors, 4- to 6-week-old W/W(v) mice of the same genetic background.


METHODS
Two to 10 microL from a 30-million/mL testicular cell suspension was injected through the efferent duct in the rete testis.


METHODS
Vitality, concentration, motility, individual sperm movement, and hyperactivity of the spermatozoa.


RESULTS
Vitality was comparable between the two groups; the concentration, motility, and hyperactivity of posttransplantation spermatozoa were significantly reduced. The movement pattern of the individual spermatozoon was normal at the time of isolation but decreased more rapidly during in vitro culture, compared with the case in controls. This difference already had reached a significant level 3 hours after culture, which is comparable with the duration of an IVF procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
The reduced fertilization rate after IVF can thus be explained by a lower number of motile spermatozoa and the faster decrease of the individual sperm movement parameters.
Goossens
Ellen
E
Research Centre for Reproduction and Genetics, University Hospital of the Dutch-speaking Brussels Free University (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium. ellen.goossens@uzbrussel.be
De Block
Gert
G
Tournaye
Herman
H
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation