title: In search of an efficient injection technique for future clinical application of spermatogonial stem cell transplantation: infusion of contrast dyes in isolated cadaveric human testes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop an efficient infusion technique for human spermatogonial stem cell transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixture with ultrasonic contrast, computerized tomography (CT) contrast, and Chinese ink was injected into isolated human testes through different sites (the rete testis, the head of the epididymis, the deferent duct, and blind testicular infusion). Ultrasound transducer was used to visualize the injection site and to observe the flow of the mixture injected in the testes. Then, micro-CT scan was used to construct three-dimensional images, allowing the calculation of the testicular volume filled by the mixture. Finally the efficiency of the infusion was evaluated on histologic sections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaver testes obtained from autopsied bodies at the department of pathology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ultrasound-guided infusion of contrast liquid.
  
  
  METHODS
  Contrast liquid-filled testis volume and presence of ink in seminiferous tubules.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultrasonography clearly visualized the flow when seminiferous tubules were injected from the rete testis. No flow was observed when infusions were made either blindly, into the deferent duct, or into the head of the epididymis. On micro-CT no significant differences were observed between the different volumes. After rete testis infusion, ink particles were found in the lumen of the rete testis and in tubules, close and distant from the rete testis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A single ultrasound-guided injection of 800 μL in the rete testis may provide a promising method to transplant human spermatogonial stem cells in a clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China. ningliang@stu.xjtu.edu.cn
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ning
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goossens
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lahoutte
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marichal
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tournaye
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007267:Injections / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000637:transplantation*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media