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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Reprod Sci / Xenografting of adult mammalian testis tissue.
Animal reproduction science2007; 106(1-2); 65-76; doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2007.03.026

Xenografting of adult mammalian testis tissue.

Abstract: Xenografting of testis tissue from immature males from several mammalian species to immunodeficient mouse hosts results in production of fertilization-competent sperm. However, the efficiency of testis tissue xenografting from adult donors has not been critically evaluated. Testis tissue xenografting from sexually mature animals could provide an option to preserve the genetic material from valuable males when semen for cryopreservation cannot be collected. To assess the potential use of this technique for adult individuals, testes from adult animals of six species (pig, goat, cattle, donkey, horse and rhesus monkey) were ectopically grafted to host mice. Grafts were recovered and analyzed at three time points: less than 12 weeks, between 12 and 24 weeks and more than 24 weeks after grafting. Histological analysis of the grafts revealed effects of species and donor tissue maturity: all grafts from species with greater daily sperm production (pig and goat) were found to have degenerated tubules or grafts were completely degenerated. None of the xenografts from mature adult bull and monkeys contained differentiated spermatogenic cells when examined more than 12 weeks post-grafting but tubules with Sertoli cells only remained. In grafts from a young adult bull, Sertoli cells persisted much longer than with the mature adult grafts. In grafts from a young adult horse, spermatogenesis proceeded to meiosis. In grafts from a young adult donkey and monkey, however, complete spermatogenesis was found in the grafts. These results show that testis tissue grafts from mature adult donors did not support germ cell differentiation but seminiferous tubules with Sertoli cells only survived in some species. The timing and progression of tubular degeneration after grafting of adult testis tissue appear to be related to the intensity of spermatogenesis at the time of grafting. Testis tissue from sub-adult donors survives better as xenograft than tissue from mature adult donors, and complete spermatogenesis can occur albeit with species-specific differences.
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Publication Date: 2007-04-08 PubMed ID: 17512146PubMed Central: PMC2386512DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2007.03.026Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the potential of xenografting, or transplanting tissue between different species, using testis tissue from mature adult male mammals into immunodeficient mice. The results show varying success across different species and suggest that the donor’s level of sexual maturity and sperm production rates may significantly impact the success of such grafts.

Objective of the Study

  • The study sought to evaluate the efficiency of xenografting testis tissue from mature male animals into a different species. The technique could represent a method for preserving genetic material from valued male animals, particularly when the collection of semen for cryopreservation is not possible.

Methodology

  • Tissue from adult testes of six animal species—pig, goat, cattle, donkey, horse, and rhesus monkey—was grafted into mouse hosts.
  • The study retrieved and analyzed the grafts at three different stages: less than 12 weeks, between 12 and 24 weeks, and more than 24 weeks after grafting.
  • Using histological analysis, researchers observed the results of the grafts and noted the effects related to the species and maturity of the donor tissue.

Findings

  • Grafts from species with higher daily sperm production (pigs and goats) demonstrated degenerated tubules, or the grafts were completely degenerated.
  • None of the grafts from mature adult bulls and monkeys contained differentiated spermatogenic cells when examined after 12 weeks post-grafting, but tubules with Sertoli cells (which help in sperm formation) only, survived.
  • Grafts taken from a young adult bull showed that Sertoli cells lived longer than with mature adult grafts.
  • In grafts from a young adult horse, spermatogenesis (the process of producing sperm) proceeded to meiosis, a process that halves the number of chromosomes and results in the creation of sperm.
  • Full spermatogenesis was found in the grafts from young adult donkeys and monkeys.

Conclusion

  • Testis tissue grafts from mature adult donors did not support germ cell differentiation, a necessary process for sperm production. However, seminiferous tubules with only Sertoli cells survived in some species.
  • The timing and progression of tubular degeneration after grafting of adult testis tissue appeared to correlate with the intensity of spermatogenesis at the time of grafting.
  • The survival rate of testis tissue from sub-adult donors was higher as a xenograft than mature adult donors. Further, complete spermatogenesis could occur, albeit with variations across different species.

Cite This Article

APA
Arregui L, Rathi R, Zeng W, Honaramooz A, Gomendio M, Roldan ER, Dobrinski I. (2007). Xenografting of adult mammalian testis tissue. Anim Reprod Sci, 106(1-2), 65-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2007.03.026

Publication

Animal reproduction science
ISSN: 0378-4320
NlmUniqueID: 7807205
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 106
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 65-76

Researcher Affiliations

Arregui, Lucía
  • Center for Animal Transgenesis and Germ Cell Research, University of Pennsylvania, Kennet Square, PA 19348, USA.
Rathi, Rahul
    Zeng, Wenxian
      Honaramooz, Ali
        Gomendio, Montserrat
          Roldan, Eduardo R S
            Dobrinski, Ina

              MeSH Terms

              • Age Factors
              • Animals
              • Cattle
              • Equidae / physiology
              • Goats / physiology
              • Graft Survival
              • Horses / physiology
              • Macaca mulatta / physiology
              • Male
              • Mammals / physiology
              • Mice
              • Organ Size
              • Seminal Vesicles / anatomy & histology
              • Spermatogenesis / physiology
              • Swine / physiology
              • Testis / transplantation
              • Transplantation, Heterologous / methods
              • Transplantation, Heterologous / physiology
              • Transplantation, Heterologous / veterinary

              Grant Funding

              • R01 RR017359 / NCRR NIH HHS
              • R01 RR017359-05 / NCRR NIH HHS
              • 5R01 RR 17359-05 / NCRR NIH HHS

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