摘要
Spermatogonial stem cells(SSCs) are the germ stem cells of the seminiferous epithelium in the testis. Through the process of spermatogenesis, they produce sperm while concomitantly keeping their cellular pool constant through self-renewal. SSC biology offers important applications for animal reproduction and overcoming human disease through regenerative therapies. To this end, several techniques involving SSCs have been developed and will be covered in this article. SSCs convey genetic information to the next generation, a property that can be exploited forgene targeting. Additionally, SSCs can be induced to become embryonic stem cell-like pluripotent cells in vitro. Updates on SSC transplantation techniques with related applications, such as fertility restoration and preservation of endangered species, are also covered on this article. SSC suspensions can be transplanted to the testis of an animal and this has given the basis for SSC functional assays. This procedure has proven technically demanding in large animals and men. In parallel, testis tissue xenografting, another transplantation technique, was developed and resulted in sperm production in testis explants grafted into ectopical locations in foreign species. Since SSC culture holds a pivotal role in SSC biotechnologies, current advances are overviewed. Finally, spermatogenesis in vitro, already demonstrated in mice, offers great promises to cope with reproductive issues in the farm animal industry and human clinical applications.
Spermatogonial stem cells （SSCs） are the germ stemcells of the seminiferous epithelium in the testis.Through the process of spermatogenesis, they producesperm while concomitantly keeping their cellular poolconstant through self-renewal. SSC biology offersimportant applications for animal reproduction andovercoming human disease through regenerativetherapies. To this end, several techniques involvingSSCs have been developed and will be covered inthis article. SSCs convey genetic information to thenext generation, a property that can be exploited forgene targeting. Additionally, SSCs can be induced tobecome embryonic stem cell-like pluripotent cells invitro . Updates on SSC transplantation techniques withrelated applications, such as fertility restoration andpreservation of endangered species, are also covered onthis article. SSC suspensions can be transplanted to thetestis of an animal and this has given the basis for SSCfunctional assays. This procedure has proven technicallydemanding in large animals and men. In parallel, testistissue xenografting, another transplantation technique,was developed and resulted in sperm production intestis explants grafted into ectopical locations in foreignspecies. Since SSC culture holds a pivotal role in SSCbiotechnologies, current advances are overviewed.Finally, spermatogenesis in vitro , already demonstratedin mice, offers great promises to cope with reproductiveissues in the farm animal industry and human clinicalapplications.
基金
Project Prometeo,SENESCYT and AGROCALIDAD,Ecuador for financial support
