Generation of male differentiated germ cells from various types of stem cells

Abstract

Infertility is a major and largely incurable disease caused by disruption and loss of germ cells. It affects 10-15% of couples, and male factor accounts for half of the cases. To obtain human male germ cells 'especially functional spermatids' is essential for treating male infertility. Currently, much progress has been made on generating male germ cells, including spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids, from various types of stem cells. These germ cells can also be used in investigation of the pathology of male infertility. In this review, we focused on advances on obtaining male differentiated germ cells from different kinds of stem cells, with an emphasis on the embryonic stem (ES) cells, the induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). We illustrated the generation of male differentiated germ cells from ES cells, iPS cells and SSCs, and we summarized the phenotype for these stem cells, spermatocytes and spermatids. Moreover, we address the differentiation potentials of ES cells, iPS cells and SSCs. We also highlight the advantages, disadvantages and concerns on derivation of the differentiated male germ cells from several types of stem cells. The ability of generating mature and functional male gametes from stem cells could enable us to understand the precise etiology of male infertility and offer an invaluable source of autologous male gametes for treating male infertility of azoospermia patients.

Regulation of spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal and spermatocyte meiosis by Sertoli cell signaling

“…Thus, the development of in vitro differentiation approaches will overcome these problems. Currently, considerable progress has been made in generating male germ cells, including spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids, from various types of stem cells (reviewed in Hou et al (2014)). Of note, haploid spermatids were generated in human SSCs from cryptorchidism patients by treatment with RA and stem cell factor .…”

Testicular function and fertility preservation after treatment for haematological cancer

“…These spermatogonia may theoretically be differentiated ex vivo into mature sperms. The main models for ex-vivo differentiation of male germ cells include in-vitro culture systems; testicular tissue (xeno)grafting and SSC transplantation into the seminiferous tubules of the testis [33][34][35]. All of these options for germ cell differentiation into functional sperm in various animal models require a functional somatic microenvironment (or 'niche') similar to that of the healthy testis in vivo.…”

Inductive Role of Sustentacular Cells (Sertoli Cells) Conditioned Medium on Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

“…Co-culture with Sustentacular cells, gonadal stromal cells, Vero cells and enriched medium with Retinoic acid and testicular extraction are investigated as culture systems that can increase expression of male germ cell markers Park et al, 2009;Zanganeh, Rastegar et al, 2013;Hou et al).…”