Optimization of Testicular Fixation-Embedding Techniques for Improved Evaluation of Mammalian Spermatogonial Morphology and Function

Abstract

Numerous methods have been successfully used to evaluate mammalian spermatogonial biology However, the conventional light microscopy assays present a challenge in precisely identifying spermatogonial phenotypes, which can result in discrepancies between molecular and morphological findings. Such precise association could lead to a more robust interpretation of spermatogonial activity in steady-state spermatogenesis, which may facilitate the translation from basic research to clinical applications. In this chapter, we present two histological processing methods that enable a comprehensive analysis of spermatogonial morphology and function, involving fixation of mammalian testicular tissue in glutaraldehyde and embedding in plastic resin. These techniques have proven to be effective in light microscopy studies.

Keywords: Aldehyde; Araldite; Embedding; Fixation; Glycol methacrylate; Light microscopy; Plastic resin; Spermatogonia; Testes.