In-vitro Spermatogenesis Through Testis Modelling: Toward the Generation of Testicular Organoids

Overview

Journal Andrology

Specialties Reproductive Medicine
Urology

Date 2019 Dec 12

PMID 31823507

Citations 31

Authors

Guillaume Richer

Yoni Baert

Ellen Goossens

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The testicular organoid concept has recently been introduced in tissue engineering to refer to testicular cell organizations modeling testicular architecture and function. The testicular organoid approach gives control over which and how cells reaggregate, which is not possible in organotypic cultures, thereby extending the applicability of in-vitro spermatogenesis (IVS) systems. However, it remains unclear which culture method and medium allow reassociation of testicular cells into a functional testicular surrogate in-vitro.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to review the different strategies that have been used in an attempt to create testicular organoids and generate spermatozoa. We want to provide an up-to-date list on culture methodologies and media compositions that have been used and determine their role in regulating tubulogenesis and differentiation of testicular cells.

Search Method: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to select studies reporting the reorganization of testicular cell suspensions in-vitro, using the keywords: three-dimensional culture, in-vitro spermatogenesis, testicular organoid, testicular scaffold, and tubulogenesis. Papers published before the August 1, 2019, were selected.

Outcome: Only a limited number of studies have concentrated on recreating the testicular architecture in-vitro. While some advances have been made in the testicular organoid research in terms of cellular reorganization, none of the described culture systems is adequate for the reproduction of both the testicular architecture and IVS.

Conclusion: Further improvements in culture methodology and medium composition have to be made before being able to provide both testicular tubulogenesis and spermatogenesis in-vitro.

Citing Articles

Generation of bovine decellularized testicular bio-scaffolds as a 3D platform for testis bioengineering.

Di Filippo F, Brevini T, Pennarossa G, Gandolfi F Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2025; 12:1532107.

PMID: 39877269 PMC: 11772495. DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1532107.

Establishment and Characterization of Testis Organoids with Proliferation and Differentiation of Spermatogonial Stem Cells into Spermatocytes and Spermatids.

Zhang D, Jin W, Cui Y, He Z Cells. 2024; 13(19.

PMID: 39404405 PMC: 11476282. DOI: 10.3390/cells13191642.

MicroRNA Analysis of In Vitro Differentiation of Spermatogonial Stem Cells Using a 3D Human Testis Organoid System.

Cohen A, Nikmehr B, Abdelaal O, Escott M, Walker S, Atala A Biomedicines. 2024; 12(8).

PMID: 39200238 PMC: 11351903. DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12081774.

Advancement and Potential Applications of Epididymal Organoids.

Nie J, Chen H, Zhao X Biomolecules. 2024; 14(8).

PMID: 39199413 PMC: 11352229. DOI: 10.3390/biom14081026.

The effect of epididymosomes on the development of frozen-thawed mouse spermatogonial stem cells after culture in a decellularized testicular scaffold and transplantation into azoospermic mice.

Rahbar M, Asadpour R, Mazaheri Z J Assist Reprod Genet. 2024; 41(8):2079-2098.

PMID: 38839698 PMC: 11339233. DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03157-y.

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