Spermatogonial stem cell transplantation

Abstract

The development of the spermatogonial transplantation technique has given new impetus to research on spermatogonial stem cells. Possibilities opened by this technique include: (a) New ways to study fundamental aspects of spermatogenesis; (b) Generation of transgenic large domestic animals; (c) Protection of (young) male cancer patients from infertility due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Spermatogonial stem cell transplantation for the above purposes encompasses a number of steps. First, the stem cells have to be isolated and possibly purified. Second, it should be possible to cryopreserve the stem cells, for example till the children have reached puberty. Third, it should be possible to culture spermatogonial stem cells for a prolonged period of time which would also allow transfection and subsequent selection of stably transfected cells. Fourth, in case of animal studies, the host testis should be emptied from endogenous stem cells. This is probably best done by local irradiation. Finally, the stem cells will have to be transplanted.