A vasculature-associated niche for undifferentiated spermatogonia in the mouse testis

Science. 2007 Sep 21;317(5845):1722-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1144885. Epub 2007 Sep 6.

Abstract

Mammalian spermatogenesis produces numerous sperm for a long period based on a highly potent stem cell system, which relies on a special microenvironment, or niche, that has not yet been identified. In this study, using time-lapse imaging of green fluorescent protein-labeled undifferentiated spermatogonia (A(undiff)) and three-dimensional reconstitution, we revealed a biased localization of A(undiff) to the vascular network and accompanying Leydig and other interstitial cells, in intact testes. Differentiating spermatogonia left these niche regions and dispersed throughout the basal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium. Moreover, rearrangement of A(undiff) accompanied the vasculature alteration. We propose that the mammalian germline niche is established as a consequence of vasculature pattern formation. This is different from what is observed in Drosophila or Caenorhabditis elegans, which display developmentally specified niche structures within polarized gonads.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Blood Vessels / cytology
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Seminiferous Tubules / blood supply
  • Seminiferous Tubules / cytology
  • Spermatogenesis
  • Spermatogonia / cytology*
  • Testis / blood supply
  • Testis / cytology*

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neurog3 protein, mouse
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins