title: Cryopreservation of testicular tissue before long-term testicular cell culture does not alter in vitro cell dynamics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess whether testicular cell dynamics are altered during long-term culture after testicular tissue cryopreservation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental basic science study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reproductive biology laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Testicular tissue with normal spermatogenesis was obtained from six donors.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Detection and comparison of testicular cells from fresh and frozen tissues during long-term culture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Human testicular cells derived from fresh (n = 3) and cryopreserved (n = 3) tissues were cultured for 2 months and analyzed with quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence. Spermatogonia including spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) were reliably detected by combining VASA, a germ cell marker, with UCHL1, a marker expressed by spermatogonia. The established markers STAR, ACTA2, and SOX9 were used to analyze the presence of Leydig cells, peritubular myoid cells, and Sertoli cells, respectively. No obvious differences were found between the cultures initiated from fresh or cryopreserved tissues. Single or small groups of SSCs (VASA(+)/UCHL1(+)) were detected in considerable amounts up to 1 month of culture, but infrequently after 2 months. SSCs were found attached to the feeder monolayer, which expressed markers for Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and peritubular myoid cells. In addition, VASA(-)/UCHL1(+) cells, most likely originating from the interstitium, also contributed to this monolayer. Apart from Sertoli cells, all somatic cell types could be detected throughout the culture period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Testicular tissue can be cryopreserved before long-term culture without modifying its outcome, which encourages implementation of testicular tissue banking for fertility preservation. However, because of the limited numbers of SSCs available after 2 months, further exploration and optimization of the culture system is needed.
authors.affiliation: Biology of the Testis, Research Laboratory for Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: yoni.baert@vub.ac.be.
authors.forename: Yoni
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Baert
authors.affiliation: Biology of the Testis, Research Laboratory for Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Aude
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Braye
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Robin B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Struijk
authors.affiliation: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ans M M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: van Pelt
authors.affiliation: Biology of the Testis, Research Laboratory for Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goossens
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D015925:Cryopreservation; D061252:Feeder Cells; D059247:Fertility Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Childhood cancer; cryopreservation; culture; fertility preservation; spermatogonial stem cells