Male germ-line stem cell potential is predicted by morphology of cells in neonatal rat testes.

Gonocytes are a transient population of male germ-line stem cells that are derived from primordial germ cells in the embryo and give rise to spermatogonial stem cells, which establish and maintain spermatogenesis in the postnatal testis. In contrast to spermatogonial stem cells, gonocytes can be identified easily in neonatal rat testis cell suspensions based on their large size and distinct morphology. Furthermore, histological analysis of testes from neonatal transgenic rats demonstrated that gonocytes are the only cells that express a lacZ reporter transgene. Two gonocyte subpopulations, designated pseudopod and round, were identified and isolated from neonatal (0-4 days postpartum) rat testis cell suspensions. Male germ-line stem cells, identified by their ability to produce and maintain colonies of spermatogenesis upon transplantation into infertile recipient testes, were present almost exclusively in the pseudopod gonocyte subpopulation. In contrast, annexin V staining indicated that the majority of round gonocytes undergo apoptosis. These results indicate that a nearly pure population of male germ-line stem cells can be prospectively identified in neonatal rat testis cell suspensions by morphological criteria. Together, the pseudopod and round gonocyte populations will provide powerful tools for the study of cellular mechanisms that control cell fates and the establishment of spermatogenesis in the postnatal testis.