Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2010) 21 S3.2

SFEBES2009 Symposia Stem cells - therapeutic potential and endocrine applications (4 abstracts)

Pluripotent stem cells in the testis: restoring fertility

Stefan Schlatt


Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Münster, Münster, Germany.


Spermatogonial stem cells open novel strategies for derivation of pluripotent cell lineages and fertility preservation in boys and men exposed to gonadotoxic therapies. The testicular stem cells are descendants of the primordial germ cells. They are the only germline cells remaining mitotically active in adulthood. Their highly specialized task is the preservation of DNA integrity in the germline. In contrast to all other stem cells they do not serve any beneficial functions for the individual male organism but act as an integral part of the germline preserving the DNA integrity of the species. Species-specific differences must be considered when spermatogonia are considered for development of new technologies. In rodents, very few stem cells undergo an enormous premeiotic expansion while in primates numerous A-spermatogonia undergo limited premeiotic divisions. Such differences in expansion as well as potential differences in the associated stem cell niches have consequences for in vitro and in vivo strategies. In recent years in vitro approaches have revealed the derivation of pluripotent cells from testicular stem cells in a variety of species, including man. Also, approaches for in vitro maturation of spermatogonia into sperm are developed. Germ cell transplantation and testicular grafting are available as exciting experimental strategies, which may also have clinical potential. However, human applications must still be regarded as experimental and many aspects of the novel procedures need to be optimized prior to a safe and efficient use.

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