Authors: Schlatt, S.; Honaramooz, A.; Ehmcke, J.; Goebell, P.J.; Rübben, H.; Dhir, R.; Dobrinski, I.; Patrizio, P.

Source: Human Reproduction, Volume 21, Number 2, February 2006 , pp. 384-389(6)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Grafting of testicular tissue into immunodeficient mice has become an interesting and promising scientific tool for the generation of gametes and the study of testicular function. This technique might potentially be used to generate sperm from patients whose testes need to be removed or are destroyed due to therapeutic intervention or as a consequence of disease. Here we explore whether adult human testicular tissue from patients with different testicular pathologies survives as xenograft. METHODS AND RESULTS: Testis tissue from adult patients with varying degrees of spermatogenesis was grafted into two strains of immunodeficient mice (severe combined immunodeficiency, Nu/Nu). Tissue with active spermatogenesis prior to grafting largely regressed. However, testicular tissue survival was better in cases where spermatogenesis was suppressed prior to grafting and occasionally spermatogonial stem cells survived. Cases with spermatogenic disruption were not corrected by the xenografting. CONCLUSION: Superior survival of the germinal epithelium and spermatogonia when spermatogenesis was suppressed prior to grafting could provide a novel strategy for germline preservation in pre-pubertal cancer patients. This approach could also be valuable to study the early stages of human spermatogenesis.

Keywords: fertility preservation; grafting; spermatogenesis; steroidogenesis; testis

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dei352

Publication date: 2006-02-01

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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• In this Subject: Anatomy & Physiology ,  Obstetrics & Gynecology
• By this author: Schlatt, S. ;  Honaramooz, A. ;  Ehmcke, J. ;  Goebell, P.J. ;  Rübben, H. ;  Dhir, R. ;  Dobrinski, I. ;  Patrizio, P.

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