Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells repair germinal cells of seminiferous tubules of busulfan-induced azoospermic rats

Abstract

CONTEXT:Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) are less invasive than bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to obtain for cell therapy.AIMS:The aims of this study were to evaluate the germinal cells characteristics and repairs in seminiferous tubules of busulfan-induced azoospermic rats after AT-MSCs transplantation.SETTINGS AND DESIGN:Experimental case-control study.MATERIALS AND METHODS:In the present experimental study, donors AT-MSCs were isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue of two Sprague-Dawley rats. The recipients (n = 5) were received two doses of 10 mg/kg of busulfan with 21 days interval to stop endogenous spermatogenesis. After induction of azoospermia by busulfan, rats were injected with the AT-MSCs into the efferent duct of right testes. After 60 days, the right testes were injected AT-MSCs were compared to left azoospermic testes. Five untreated male rats served as negative control.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED:Stereological indices were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and LSD post-hoc test. The spermatogenesis index was compared using Mann–Whitney U test.RESULTS:After stereological analyses, the seminiferous tubules treated with AT-MSCs had normal morphology. The untreated seminiferous tubules were empty. Spermatogenesis was observed in most cell-treated seminiferous tubules.CONCLUSIONS:The testis of busulfan-induced azoospermic rats accepted transplanted AT-MSCs. The transplanted AT-MSCs could induce spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules of the rat.

Induction of Spermatogenesis by Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Busulfan-induced Azoospermia in Hamste

“…Allogeneic BM-MSCs trans-differentiated into spermatogenic-like-cells and enhanced endogenous fertility recovery in rat by injection into seminiferous tubules of recipient with busulfan induced ( 2 , 19 , 31 ) and testicular torsion ( 32 ) azoospermia rat. Mehrabani et al ( 33 ) and Cakici et al ( 18 ) demonstrated that adipose-tissue-derived MSCs can leading to recovery of fertility in the busulfan-treated azoospermia rat model. Recently, Chen et al ( 34 ) showed that sperm differentiation potential of transplantation of human umbilical cord MSCs into immunodeficient mouse seminiferous tubule.…”

<p>Some of the Factors Involved in Male Infertility: A Prospective Review</p>

“…The intertubular portions of the seminiferous tubules are involved in providing blood and immune responses. [12][13][14] Leydig cells are one of the most important cells in testis that are the source of testicular testosterone and insulin-like factor 3. In addition to Leydig cells, intercellular components include immune cells, lymphatic and blood vessels, nerves, connective tissue, and fibroblasts.…”

Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor, Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic and Leukemia Inhibitory Factor on the Proliferation and Differentiation Potential of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

“…They are one of the suitable options for cell therapy for many diseases such as infertility (5). In recent years, researchers developed a new method to treat infertility by differentiating stem cells into male and female germ cells in vitro and in vivo; they took promising steps toward treatment of infertility (6,7). The important limitations of clinical applications of stem cells are the small number of cells and their differentiation into undesirable lineage in vitro (8,9).…”