Ke Tao1,2, Yuan Sun1, Yuanchi Chao1, Liu Xing1,3, Lizhi Leng1,3, Dai Zhou1,3, Wenbing Zhu1,3, Liqing Fan4,5. 1. Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China. 2. Department of Medical Laboratory, School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013, China. 3. Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410078, China. 4. Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, China. liqingfan@csu.edu.cn. 5. Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410078, China. liqingfan@csu.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mammalian spermatogenesis is responsible for male fertility and is supported by the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Sertoli cells provide a supportive microenvironment for SSCs, in part by the production of stem cell factor (SCF), which is a potent regulator of spermatogonia proliferation and survival. METHODS: We investigated the novel role of β-estradiol in modulating the proliferation and apoptosis of fetal SSCs via the regulation of SCF secretion in Sertoli cells isolated from human fetal testes. The proliferation of SSCs in the co-culture system was determined by colony formation and BrdU incorporation assays. TUNEL assay was used to measure SSC apoptosis in co-culture in response to treatment with control, β-estradiol, or the combination of β-estradiol and the estrogen receptor inhibitor ICI 182780. RESULTS: In the system with purified human fetal Sertoli cells (MIS+/c-Kit-/AP-), β-estradiol upregulated the production of SCF in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In the co-culture system of primary human fetal SSCs (c-Kit+/SSEA-4+/Oct-4+/AP+) and Sertoli cells (MIS+), β-estradiol markedly increased the proliferation of SSCs. Moreover, SSC apoptosis was significantly inhibited by β-estradiol and was completely reversed by the combination of β-estradiol and ICI 182780. CONCLUSION: Here we report, for the first time, that β-estradiol can induce the increase of SCF expression in human fetal Sertoli cells and regulates the growth and survival of human fetal SSCs. These novel findings provide new perspectives on the current understanding of the role of estrogen in human spermatogenesis.
BACKGROUND: Mammalian spermatogenesis is responsible for male fertility and is supported by the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Sertoli cells provide a supportive microenvironment for SSCs, in part by the production of stem cell factor (SCF), which is a potent regulator of spermatogonia proliferation and survival. METHODS: We investigated the novel role of β-estradiol in modulating the proliferation and apoptosis of fetal SSCs via the regulation of SCF secretion in Sertoli cells isolated from human fetal testes. The proliferation of SSCs in the co-culture system was determined by colony formation and BrdU incorporation assays. TUNEL assay was used to measure SSC apoptosis in co-culture in response to treatment with control, β-estradiol, or the combination of β-estradiol and the estrogen receptor inhibitor ICI 182780. RESULTS: In the system with purified human fetal Sertoli cells (MIS+/c-Kit-/AP-), β-estradiol upregulated the production of SCF in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In the co-culture system of primary human fetal SSCs (c-Kit+/SSEA-4+/Oct-4+/AP+) and Sertoli cells (MIS+), β-estradiol markedly increased the proliferation of SSCs. Moreover, SSC apoptosis was significantly inhibited by β-estradiol and was completely reversed by the combination of β-estradiol and ICI 182780. CONCLUSION: Here we report, for the first time, that β-estradiol can induce the increase of SCF expression in human fetal Sertoli cells and regulates the growth and survival of human fetal SSCs. These novel findings provide new perspectives on the current understanding of the role of estrogen in human spermatogenesis.
Authors: P T Saunders; R M Sharpe; K Williams; S Macpherson; H Urquart; D S Irvine; M R Millar Journal: Mol Hum Reprod Date: 2001-03 Impact factor: 4.025
Authors: Gerd H G Moe-Behrens; Francesca Gioia Klinger; Winnie Eskild; Tom Grotmol; Trine B Haugen; Massimo De Felici Journal: Mol Endocrinol Date: 2003-10-02