Progress and future prospect of in vitro spermatogenesis.

Fahar Ibtisham,Yi Zhao,Guanghui Li,Jiang Wu,Aamir Nawab,Zachary Banker,Lilong An,Mei Xiao

doi:10.18632/oncotarget.19640

Fahar Ibtisham, Yi Zhao + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.19640

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Journal: Oncotarget	Publication Date: Jul 27, 2017
Citations: 57	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Guangdong Ocean University

Abstract

Infertility has become a major health issue in the world. It affects the social life of couples and of all infertility cases; approximately 40–50% is due to “male factor” infertility. Male infertility could be due to genetic factors, environment or due to gonadotoxic treatment. Developments in reproductive biotechnology have made it possible to rescue fertility and uphold biological fatherhood. In vitro production of haploid male germ cell is a powerful tool, not only for the treatment of infertility including oligozoospermic or azoospermic patient, but also for the fertility preservation in pre-pubertal boys whose gonadal function is threatened by gonadotoxic therapies. Genomic editing of in-vitro cultured germ cells could also potentially cure flaws in spermatogenesis due to genomic mutation. Furthermore, this ex-vivo maturation technique with genomic editing may be used to prevent paternal transmission of genomic diseases. Here, we summarize the historical progress of in vitro spermatogenesis research by using organ and cell culture techniques and the future clinical application of in vitro spermatogenesis.

Highlights

After birth, the prospermatogonia start to develop and the first wave of spermatogenesis begins
Around postnatal day (P) 1-2, prospermatogonia differentiate into spermatogonia, as they migrate to the periphery of the testis and become flanked by somatic Sertoli cells within the testis and peritubular myoid cells that surround the outside of the cord [8]
The proteins and signaling networks involved in this transition are currently not so clear, but it has recently been shown that suppressing NOTCH signaling in Sertoli cells is important for maintaining quiescence in prospermatogonia [9]

Summary

Introduction

The prospermatogonia start to develop and the first wave of spermatogenesis begins. The interest in potential use of in-vitro spermatogenesis for the treatment of infertility has increased after successful ex vivo production of functional sperm from immature germ cells by Sato et al [70] by using a more complex organ culture system.

Results

Conclusion