GFRα-1 is a reliable marker of bovine gonocytes/undifferentiated spermatogonia: A mini-review

Abstract

Identification of the specific biomarkers is of great importance to enrich and expand the gonocytes or spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in livestock. The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family receptor alpha-1 (GFRα-1) is a conserved marker of the gonocytes/SSCs in multiple species including rodents, primates and human; however, its expression in bovine gonocytes/SSCs is debated. Recently, we and other teams clearly demonstrated the expression of GFRα-1 in bovine gonocytes/SSCs. This is useful for bovine gonocytes/SSCs-related research or application. Nonetheless, new methods still need to be developed to identify the undifferentiated spermatogonial subsets in large livestock and elucidate their spermatogenic potency.

Keywords: GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRα-1); cattle; glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); gonocyte; spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs).