title: Dynamics of GFRα1-positive spermatogonia at the early stages of colonization in the recipient testes of W/Wν male mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The spermatogonial transplantation experiment can be used as an unequivocal detection assay of spermatogenic stem cells (SSCs) in both a qualitative and quantitative manner, based on their regenerative capacity. In this study, the proliferative patterns and kinetics of donor-derived GFRα1-positive spermatogonia containing potential SSCs were examined during early colonization following spermatogonial transplantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Donor-derived GFRα1-positive cells frequently formed several aggregates of A(al(aligned)) /morula-like structures in a single spermatogenic cell patch before and on day 14 post-transplant, indicating a possible involvement in the formation of a stable spermatogenic colony at 21 days post-transplant. The appearance of these A(al) /morula-like aggregates is positively correlated with regional, high-level expression of immunoreactive GDNF signals, a ligand for GFRα1, associated with colony expansion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data raise the hypothesis that regional GDNF signals regulate the balance between donor-derived A(al) -like cell aggregates and their differentiation in each small patch, which subsequently leads to further selection of survival colonies at later stages.
authors: Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Ryohei
authors: R
authors: Nagai
authors: Mai
authors: M
authors: Shinomura
authors: Kasane
authors: K
authors: Kishi
authors: Yoshimi
authors: Y
authors: Aiyama
authors: Kyoko
authors: K
authors: Harikae
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Sato
authors: Masami
authors: M
authors: Kanai-Azuma
authors: Masamichi
authors: M
authors: Kurohmaru
authors: Naoki
authors: N
authors: Tsunekawa
authors: Yoshiakira
authors: Y
authors: Kanai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000637:transplantation; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C494988:Gfra1 protein, mouse; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors