Perspectivesof spermatogonial stem cellsuse for investigation of spermatogenesis mechanisms and for treatment of male infertility

Abstract

Germ stem cells have the ability to transfer genetic information to the next generation through fertilization. The key to continuous production of sperm cells – spermatogonial stem cells (SSC). Treatment of malignant diseases, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, can cause serious damage to male reproductive function. Recent discoveries in studies of the mammalian spermatogenic system had expanded the knowledge about the cellular and molecular mechanisms of differentiation of spermatogonia into mature gametes. Currently, however, the nature of the human spermatogenesis almost unknown due to the lack of appropriate experimental models. Create a method of culture human SSC in the near future will contribute to the further understanding of the mechanism of spermatogenesis and its pathogenesis, which may lead to more effective indicators for the use of assisted reproductive technologies in treating the most severe forms of male infertility, and its prevention. The review analyzed the results of studies the possibility of using cellular technologies in reproductive medicine to restore human spermatogenesis. A number of authors have shown that the use of cryopreservation not only sperm, but also tissues of testicles that contains SSC, auto-transplantation of SSC, the establishment of organ cultures with the aim of obtaining sperm in vitro may in future be an effective method of fertility preservation, especially in prepubertal patients. However, the results are ambiguous and need further researches.