Affiliations: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill
University, Royal Victoria Hospital, 687 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec H3A
1A1, Canada
Abstract: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are defined by their ability to
both self-renew and produce differentiated germ cells that will develop into
functional spermatozoa. Because of this ability, SSCs can reestablish
spermatogenesis after testicular damage caused by cytotoxic agents or after
transplantation into an infertile recipient. Therefore, SSCs are an important
target cell for restoring male fertility, particularly for cancer patients who
have to undergo sterilizing cancer therapies. In the mouse, the identification
of SSC markers allows for the isolation of a highly enriched population of stem
cells. This enriched stem cell population can be expanded in culture for an
indefinite period of time, cryopreserved, and transplanted into infertile
recipients to restore fertility. Thus, the identification of markers and the
establishment of a long-term culture system for human SSCs will be crucial for
realizing the potential of these cells in a clinical setting. In this article,
we focus on the markers that have been identified for mouse SSCs and discuss
how human SSC markers may be used in the restoration of fertility.
Keywords: Spermatogenesis, stem cells, transplantation, cancer, male fertility restoration
Journal: Disease Markers, vol. 24, no. 4-5, pp. 267-276, 2008
