Male germ cell transplantation: promise and problems

2001 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang-Xu Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cell ◽  
Cell Transplantation ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Direct Injection ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Rete Testis ◽  
Male Germ Cell ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Germ Cell Transplantation

Male germ cell transplantation is a novel technique in which donor male stem germ cells are surgically transferred to the seminiferous tubules of a recipient testis by direct injection or via the rete testis or efferent duct. All germ cells that are destined to become stem spermatogonia are defined as male stem germ cells, including primordial germ cells from the gonadal ridges, and gonocytes and stem spermatogonia from the testis, all of which are transplantable and capable of undergoing normal spermatogenesis. Xenotransplantation of male germ cells from one species into the testis of another species, including human testicular cells in the mouse, has so far proved to be unsuccessful. However, the immunodeficient mouse testis can support rat spermatogenesis and produce apparently normal rat spermatozoa. The underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The present mini-review will focus on the importance of stem spermatogonial transplantation for testicular stem cell biology and discuss the likelihood of immune rejection after transplantation, which may limit the success of all male germ cell transplantation.

scholarly journals Male germ cell transplantation in livestock

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Hill ◽  
I. Dobrinski
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Cell Transplantation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Developmental State ◽  
Male Germ Cell ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Cell Transfer ◽  
Donor Sperm ◽  
Germ Cell Transplantation

Male germ cell transplantation is a powerful approach to study the control of spermatogenesis with the ultimate goal to enhance or suppress male fertility. In livestock animals, applications can be expanded to provide an alternative method of transgenesis and an alternative means of artificial insemination (AI). The transplantation technique uses testis stem cells, harvested from the donor animal. These donor stem cells are injected into seminiferous tubules, migrate from the lumen to relocate to the basement membrane and, amazingly, they can retain the capability to produce donor sperm in their new host. Adaptation of the mouse technique for livestock is progressing, with gradual gains in efficiency. Germ cell transfer in goats has produced offspring, but not yet in cattle and pigs. In goats and pigs, the applications of germ cell transplantation are mainly in facilitating transgenic animal production. In cattle, successful male germ cell transfer could create an alternative to AI in areas where it is impractical. Large-scale culture of testis stem cells would enhance the use of elite bulls by providing a renewable source of stem cells for transfer. Although still in a developmental state, germ cell transplantation is an emerging technology with the potential to create new opportunities in livestock production.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Application of Male Germ Cell Transplantation in Farm Animals

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Honaramooz ◽  
Yanfei Yang
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cell ◽  
Cell Transplantation ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Functional Assay ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Germ Cell Transplantation ◽  
Major Development

Transplantation of isolated germ cells from a fertile donor male into the seminiferous tubules of infertile recipients can result in donor-derived sperm production. Therefore, this system represents a major development in the study of spermatogenesis and a unique functional assay to determine the developmental potential and relative abundance of spermatogonial stem cells in a given population of testis cells. The application of this method in farm animals has been the subject of an increasing number of studies, mostly because of its potential as an alternative strategy in producing transgenic livestock with higher efficiency and less time and capital requirement than the current methods. This paper highlights the salient recent research on germ cell transplantation in farm animals. The emphasis is placed on the current status of the technique and examination of ways to increase its efficiency through improved preparation of the recipient animals as well as isolation, purification, preservation, and transgenesis of the donor germ cells.

scholarly journals Successful Intra- and Interspecific Male Germ Cell Transplantation in the Rat1

2003 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 961-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Zhang ◽  
Marilyn B. Renfree ◽  
Roger V. Short
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cell ◽  
Cell Transplantation ◽  
Male Germ Cell ◽  
Germ Cell Transplantation

scholarly journals Different expression and activity of the α1 and α4 isoforms of the Na,K-ATPase during rat male germ cell ontogeny

Reproduction ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 130 (5) ◽  
pp. 627-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Wagoner ◽  
G Sanchez ◽  
A-N Nguyen ◽  
G C Enders ◽  
G Blanco
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Male Gamete ◽  
Male Germ Cell ◽  
Male Germ Cells ◽  
And Function ◽  
Expression And Activity

Two catalytic isoforms of the Na,K-ATPase, α1 and α4, are present in testis. While α1 is ubiquitously expressed in tissues, α4 predominates in male germ cells. Each isoform has distinct enzymatic properties and appears to play specific roles. To gain insight into the relevance of the Na,K-ATPase α isoforms in male germ cell biology, we have studied the expression and activity of α1 and α4 during spermatogenesis and epididymal maturation. This was explored in rat testes at different ages, in isolated spermatogenic cells and in spermatozoa from the caput and caudal regions of the epididymis. Our results show that α1 and α4 undergo differential regulation during development. Whereas α1 exhibits only modest changes, α4 increases with gamete differentiation. The most drastic changes for α4 take place in spermatocytes at the mRNA level, and with the transition of round spermatids into spermatozoa for expression and activity of the protein. No further changes are detected during transit of spermatozoa through the epididymis. In addition, the cellular distribution of α4 is modified with development, being diffusely expressed at the plasma membrane and intracellular compartments of immature cells, finally to localize to the midregion of the spermatozoon flagellum. In contrast, the α1 isoform is evenly present along the plasma membrane of the developing and mature gametes. In conclusion, the Na,K-ATPase α1 and α4 isoforms are functional in diploid, meiotic and haploid male germ cells, α4 being significantly upregulated during spermatogenesis. These results support the importance of α4 in male gamete differentiation and function.

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