The development of a 3D-culture system for human spermatogenesis in-vitro (IWT569)

Spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) cryopreservation and transplantation is an important clinical application for preserving the reproductive potential of pre-pubertal boys who face SSC loss. However, biopsies obtained from young boys are small and might contain too few SSC for an efficient recolonisation after transplantation. To raise the chances for an efficient re-establishment of spermatogenesis after transplantation, the amount of SSC should be increased. SSC culture has recently been introduced. Our first aim is to investigate the (epi)genetical stability of the cultured cells.
The second aim of our study is the development of a culture system for in vitro spermatogenesis. Such a system would have high impact on reproductive medicine. It would not only allow the study of spermatogenesis, but would also be useful in the study and treatment of male infertility and the improvement of male contraceptives. In vitro spermatogenesis could play an important role in fertility preservation and transgenerational stem cell therapy, and last but not least, this culture system would reduce animal testing.
Promising results have been published for in vitro differentiation of mouse spermatogonial stem cells. However, complete differentiation of human spermatogonial stem cells into mature spermatozoa has not been demonstrated so far.

Keywords:reproductive genetics, andrology, clinical genetics, embryology, assisted reproductive technology

Disciplines:Basic sciences, Biological sciences