Authors: Ehmcke, Jens; Simorangkir, David R.; Schlatt, Stefan

Source: Human Reproduction, Volume 20, Number 5, May 2005 , pp. 1185-1193(9)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Spermatogonial expansion in man and non-human primates has been studied for decades. Controversy persists about the cell type representing the testicular stem cell and the exact kinetics of spermatogonial proliferation. We recently determined the starting point of spermatogenesis and proposed a model for clonal expansion of spermatogonia in adult macaques. Here we want to confirm the initiation event, study and compare the details of the kinetics of spermatogonial expansion in vivo and in vitro, and characterize a population of A spermatogonia acting as testicular stem cells. METHODS and RESULTS: We localized BrdU-positive spermatogonia in whole mounts and sections of adult rhesus monkey testes. Culture of testicular tissue was used to determine the expansion and differentiation of premeiotic germ cells. We confirm that A<inf>pale</inf> spermatogonia divide equally at stage VII and produce two types of progeny after mitosis at stage IX of the seminiferous cycle following defined clonal patterns. Small numbers of proliferating single A spermatogonia exist which present a population of label-retaining cells. CONCLUSIONS: In the rhesus monkey the population of A<inf>pale</inf> spermatogonia cycle continuously and initiate spermatogenesis by a self-renewing division at stage VII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle. Rarely dividing single A spermatogonia exist which potentially are the male germline stem cells in the primate testis.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh766

Affiliations: 1: To whom correspondence should be addressed to: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, W952 BST, 3500 Terrace Street, 15261 Pittsburgh, PA, USA., Email: schlatt@pitt.edu

Publication date: 2005-05-01

More about this publication?

• Human Reproduction features full-length, peer-reviewed papers reporting original research, clinical case histories, as well as opinions and debates on topical issues. Papers published cover the scientific and medical aspects of reproductive physiology and pathology, endocrinology, andrology, gonad function, gametogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, implantation, pregnancy, genetics, genetic diagnosis, oncology, infectious disease, surgery, contraception, infertility treatment, psychology, ethics and social issues. The highest scientific and editorial standard is maintained throughout the journal along with a rapid rate of publication.

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