Developmental potential of human spermatogenic cells co-cultured with Sertoli cells

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2002

Authors

sousa, m (Author) ICBAS; Cremades, N (Author) Other; Alves, C (Author) Other; Silva, J (Author) Other; barros, a (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Human Reproduction

Vol. 17

Pages: 161-172

ISSN: 0268-1161

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 114 Citations

Scopus - 139 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-R93

DOI: 10.1093/humrep/17.1.161

Abstract (EN): BACKGROUND: Development of an in-vitro culture system capable of supporting human early germ cell differentiation would be important for treatment of azoospermic patients. METHODS: Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and spermatocytes were isolated from testicular biopsies of 61 non-obstructive azoospermic patients, and co-cultured using Vero cell conditioned medium only or supplemented with recombinant (r)FSH or rFSH plus testosterone. Germ cell purity was checked by fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. RESULTS: Best results were achieved with both hormones, which elicited 6.9% of meiosis index and 22.7% of differentiation into normal late spermatids after 2-3 weeks of culture. In-vitro matured spermatids were microinjected into oocytes to study their developmental potential. Round spermatids elicited 37.5% of fertilization and 28.6% blastocyst rates. Abnormal elongating and elongated spermatids enabled 8.3 and 27.3% fertilization rates respectively, but none achieved the blastocyst stage. Normal elongating and elongated spermatids elicited 30.5% fertilization and 42.9% of blastocyst rates. FISH analysis showed sex chromosome anomalies in all embryos, except in the case of morulae from normal late spermatids. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that meiosis and spermiogenesis can be resumed in vitro, with normal differentiated spermatids showing a low fertilization potential but regular rates of blastocyst formation. However, most of the embryos did not reach the morula stage and showed major sex chromosome abnormalities.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12