Abstract
Spermatozoan development encompasses pre-meiotic, meiotic and post-meiotic cellular processes adapted to genetically diversify and then vertically transmit haploid genomes via fertilization. Defined culture systems supporting spermatogonial stem cell differentiation through meiosis will provide long-sought-after experimental platforms to study spermatogenesis, and to generate haploid gametes in vitro. Despite implications to advance science and medicine, germline-intrinsic signaling mechanisms sufficient to support spermatogenic cell differentiation in culture without somatic cells remain largely undiscovered. A Cell Death and Discovery article by Chapman et al.1 now reports spermatogenic growth factors sufficient for robust serum/soma-free rat spermatogonial differentiation. Culturing differentiating spermatogonia in a defined system opens new doors to investigate molecular mechanisms controlling pre-meiotic steps in spermatogonial development, and to discover factors that drive meiotic progression in vitro.
Highlights
Spermatozoan development encompasses pre-meiotic, meiotic and post-meiotic cellular processes adapted to genetically diversify and vertically transmit haploid genomes via fertilization
Culture systems in which spermatids are robustly produced from spermatogonial stem cells hold potential to positively impact a wide portfolio of global health issues related to over population, lack of family planning and the spread of infectious disease.[4,5]
Benefits of in vitro spermatogenesis are being held at bay because culture systems that effectively support spermatogonial stem cell proliferation and/or early pre-meiotic differentiation steps do not exist for most mammalian species outside rodents
Summary
Spermatozoan development encompasses pre-meiotic, meiotic and post-meiotic cellular processes adapted to genetically diversify and vertically transmit haploid genomes via fertilization. Defined culture systems supporting spermatogonial stem cell differentiation through meiosis will provide long-sought-after experimental platforms to study spermatogenesis, and to generate haploid gametes in vitro.
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