Advances in mammalian spermatogonial stem cell transplantation*

Abstract

Abstract Spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transplantation is a novel technique by which testicular cells from normal, transgenic or mutant donor are introduced into the seminiferous tubules of recipient testes through microinjection. Subsequently, donor SSCs survive, migrate, anchor and proliferate in the recipient testis, furthermore, initiate spermatogenesis and even produce sperms capable of fertilization. This technique provides a new approach for the researches of spermatogenesis mechanism, regeneration of spermatogenesis in sterile individuals and reproduction of transgenic animals. This review focuses on the methodological breakthroughs and highlights the recent findings that have substantially increased understanding of SSC biology. The article provides a comprehensive overview of this technique and its multiple applications in basicscience and medicine. And the perspective direction of this field in the near future is proposed.