Proceedings of the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology

There is increasing interest in use of marsupial models in research, for use in next-generation conservation by improving fitness through genetic modification, and in de-extinction efforts. Specifically this includes dasyurid marsupials such as the Thylacine, Tasmanian devil, quolls and the small rodent-like dunnarts. Historically, the use of marsupials as experimental models has meant significant resource investment, such as with the well-researched tammar wallaby that requires large, dedicated facilities for housing and husbandry. Given the need to advance marsupial research by applying contemporary in-vivo genetic modification technology, the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) is being established as a marsupial model. This species is small (60-90mm body size), polyovulatory (8-12 pups per birth), and can breed in standard rodent facilities when housed in a 12:12 light cycle. To develop the fat tailed dunnart as a model for marsupial next-generation conservation, this study aimed to enrich dunnart spermatogonial stem cells from whole testis digestions using a fluorescent dye technology and FACS. This approach is not dependent on antibodies or genetic reporter animals that are limiting factors when performing cell sorting on species separated from human and mouse by large evolutionary timescales. This study also assessed spermatogonial development and spermatogenesis in the fat-tailed dunnart, in vivo, by making the first definition of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in any dasyurid. Overall, this is the first detailed study to assess the cycle of dasyurid spermatogenesis and provides a valuable method to enrich marsupial spermatogonial stem cells for cellular, functional and molecular analysis.

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Unique features of spermiogenesis in the Musky Rat‐kangaroo: reflection of a basal lineage or a distinct fertilization process?

Lloyd

Carrick

Hall

2008

Journal of Anatomy

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Previous research has found the mature spermatozoon of the Musky Rat-kangaroo to share many characteristics with other macopodoids, some phalangeroids and even the dasyurids. While there have been several studies published on the ultrastructure of the mature marsupial spermatozoon, there are only a few detailed studies on marsupial spermatogenesis. Furthermore, there have been no studies undertaken which combine the staging of the epithelial cell cycle with transmission electron microscopy to describe the ultrastructural changes in the developing spermatozoon during these stages. Such studies have the potential to be used in determining the required time taken for certain components of the spermatozoa to develop. During this study, eight stages of the seminiferous epithelium were observed and the ultrastructure of spermatogenesis was divided into nine phases. Maturational processes in the epididymides are also described. Among the features reported are: the formation of a unique acrosomal granule different from those reported in any other marsupial, the absence of contraction of the nuclear ring, a conspicuous acrosomal compaction process despite the almost 100% coverage of the dorsal nuclear surface and the retention of late spermatids within the seminiferous tubules until the early spermatids have developed to the nuclear protrusion phase.

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Proceedings of the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology

Cited by 5 publications

References 8 publications

Reproduction in male marsupials

Reproduction in male marsupials

Enrichment of spermatogonial stem cells and staging of the testis cycle in a dasyurid marsupial, the fat-tailed dunnart

Unique features of spermiogenesis in the Musky Rat‐kangaroo: reflection of a basal lineage or a distinct fertilization process?

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