Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada.
Asian J Androl. 2011 Sep;13(5):677-82. doi: 10.1038/aja.2011.88. Epub 2011 Jul 18.
There have been tremendous advances in both the diagnosis and treatment of male factor infertility; however, the mechanisms responsible to recreate spermatogenesis outside of the testicular environment continue to elude andrologists. Having the ability to 'grow' human sperm would be a tremendous advance in reproductive biology with multiple possible clinical applications, such as a treatment option for men with testicular failure and azoospermia of multiple etiologies. To understand the complexities of human spermatogenesis in a research environment, model systems have been designed with the intent to replicate the testicular microenvironment. Currently, there are both in vivo and in vitro model systems. In vivo model systems involve the transplantation of either spermatogonial stem cells or testicular xenographs. In vitro model systems involve the use of pluripotent stem cells and complex coculturing and/or three-dimensional culturing techniques. This review discusses the basic methodologies, possible clinical applications, benefits and limitations of each model system. Although these model systems have greatly improved our understanding of human spermatogenesis, we unfortunately have not been successful in demonstrating complete human spermatogenesis outside of the testicle.
在男性因素不孕的诊断和治疗方面已经取得了巨大的进展；然而，负责在睾丸环境之外重建精子发生的机制仍然让男科医生感到困惑。能够“培育”人类精子将是生殖生物学的巨大进步，具有多种可能的临床应用，例如为睾丸衰竭和多种病因导致的无精子症的男性提供治疗选择。为了在研究环境中理解人类精子发生的复杂性，设计了模型系统来复制睾丸微环境。目前，有体内和体外模型系统。体内模型系统涉及精原干细胞或睾丸异种移植物的移植。体外模型系统涉及多能干细胞和复杂的共培养和/或三维培养技术的应用。本文综述了每种模型系统的基本方法学、可能的临床应用、优点和局限性。尽管这些模型系统极大地提高了我们对人类精子发生的理解，但不幸的是，我们尚未成功在睾丸外展示完全的人类精子发生。
