title: [Reconstructed seminiferous tubules from ectopic grafting of testicular cells].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the ectopic grafts of mouse testicular cells by observing the reconstruction of seminiferous tubules, colonization of spermatogenic cells and spermatogenesis using immunodeficient mice as recipients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The testes of newborn male ICR mice were digested to obtain single cell suspension. The cells were then mixed with matrigel and subcutaneously grafted into the dorsal region of the male nude mice. The mice were castrated after the operation and the grafts were dissected from 5 of the nude mice at 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks, respectively. The success rates of transplantation and the graft diameters were calculated, and the structure of the reconstituted seminiferous tubules, colonization of the germ cells and spermatogenesis were observed by HE staining and immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the mice recipients survived after the testicular cell transplantation. Within 10 weeks after the operation, tissue masses could be observed, with the diameter increased from (3.91 +/- 0.71) mm at 4 weeks to (6.69 +/- 0.50) mm. Neovascularization was detected at the surface of the masses and seminiferous tubule structures found in the grafts. The germ cells that developed from spermatogonia to round spermatids were observed, but with no sperm in the tubules. Germ cells, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells were identified by immunochemical detection of Mvh, Gata4 and P450Scc in the grafts at 8 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seminiferous tubules could be ectopically reconstructed from suspension of neonatal mouse testicular cells. Ectopic grafting provided a preferable model for the studies on testis tissue engineering and interactions between testicular cells during testicular development and spermatogenesis.
authors: Department of Urology/Laboratory of Sperm Development and Genetics, Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai Institute of Andrology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China. tianruhui@gmail.com
authors: Ru-hui
authors: RH
authors: Tian
authors: Hong-liang
authors: HL
authors: Hu
authors: Ping
authors: P
authors: Liu
authors: Peng
authors: P
authors: Li
authors: Shi
authors: S
authors: Yang
authors: Yong
authors: Y
authors: Zhu
authors: Meng
authors: M
authors: Ma
authors: Can
authors: C
authors: Sun
authors: Sha-sha
authors: SS
authors: Zou
authors: Xi-zhi
authors: XZ
authors: Guo
authors: Yi-ran
authors: YR
authors: Huang
authors: Zheng
authors: Z
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008819:Mice, Nude; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000166:cytology*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation*; D013087:Spermatids / Q000166:cytology; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous