Progress and future prospect of in vitro spermatogenesis

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.

Male infertility in Sertoli cell‐only syndrome: An investigation of autosomal gene defects

“…The majority of male infertility problems are caused by spermatogenic defects. Spermatogenesis is a highly complex process in which a large number of genes and proteins function together, and very few genes have been identified that are known to cause SCOS in this process . Del of a genomic segment can result in hemizygosity for the deleted segment and cause loss of function or mutation in the normal allele, thus leading to failure in prevention of the disease by this allele.…”

“…Spermatogenesis is a highly complex process in which a large number of genes and proteins function together, and very few genes have been identified that are known to cause SCOS in this process. 16 Del of a genomic segment can result in hemizygosity for the deleted segment and cause loss of function or mutation in the normal allele, thus leading to failure in prevention of the disease by this allele. An increased number of copies, such as Amp, can cause imbalances due to the overexpression of duplicated genes, or, when intragenic can alter product structure and function.…”

Noncoding RNAs: Potential players in the self‐renewal of mammalian spermatogonial stem cells

“…The A dark spermatogonia were referred to as the reserve stem cells that rarely divide, but can be launched to self‐renew in the event of injury or disease, whereas the A pale spermatogonia were considered the self‐renewing stem cells (Dym, Kokkinaki, & He, ; Waheeb & Hofmann, ). Type B spermatogonia represent the differentiated cells that divide into preleptotene spermatocytes that undergo meiosis (Ibtisham et al, ).…”

“…the differentiated cells that divide into preleptotene spermatocytes that undergo meiosis (Ibtisham et al, 2017).…”

Studies on the phytomodulatory potential of fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum‐graecum ) on bisphenol‐A induced testicular damage in mice

“…Mammalian spermatogenesis is a network of developmental process to which a specialised form of spermatozoa is formed by the transformation of diploid progenitor germ cell (Ibtisham et al, 2017). Mammalian spermatogenesis is a network of developmental process to which a specialised form of spermatozoa is formed by the transformation of diploid progenitor germ cell (Ibtisham et al, 2017).…”