The differentiation potential of human granulosa cells into sperm-like cells

Abstract

Context: According to previous studies human-derived luteal phase granulosa cells are able to differentiate into other cell lineages, such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes and neurons. Aims: In this study we investigated the differentiation potential of these cells into sperm-like cells. Methods: First, we demonstrated the stemness of isolated GCs by flow cytometry and then we showed that granulosa cells can differentiate into advanced male germ cell lineages including spermatid-like cells in vitro. Follicular-phase GCs were cultured then induced by sheep testis tissue extract to differentiate into sperm-like cells, as evidenced by their expression of Gpr125, as well as VASA and DAZL, which are markers of different steps of Spermatogenesis.Key results: Mesenchymal stem cell markers were expressed in these cells. Spermatogenesis markers including DAZL,VASA and GPR125, were also expressed from the second week after induction. Morphological analysis of induced cells showed that Producing sperm- like cellsweresimilar to the normal sperm. Conclusions: Obtained results prove that isolated GCs are a kind of mesenchymal stem cells and have the capability to differentiate into sperm–like cells. Implications: This finding may represent a novel strategy for studying spermatogenesis in vitro or may help to improve assisted reproductive technology methods in the future.