P-797 Assessment of embryo development following fertilization with de novo male gametes generated in a three-dimensional culture
Authors: Dovas E , Massaad P , Ng L , Xie P , Rosenwaks Z , Palermo G 
Published: July 2024

Study question

Can de novo male gamete from embryonic stem cell contribute to the full pre-implantation development?

Summary answer

Gametes generated after 29 days of differentiation in our three-dimensional (3D) culture system can support consistent fertilization and normal embryo development to the blastocyst stage.

What is known already

In regenerative medicine, several 3D culture systems have been proposed and are capable of producing functional tissue implants. In reproductive biology, recent studies have reported preliminary success in generating functional de novo gametes through soft-agar culture and testicular organoids from mouse embryonic stem cells. However, in order to achieve successful fertilization and satisfactory embryo development, an heterologous transplantation in a host seminiferous tubule is required to allow proper spermiogenesis to obtain functional gametes. Here we attempt to perform neogametogensis in a novel 3D niche to generate de novo gamete ready to be used for ICSI.

Study design, size, duration

Mouse ESCs were first cultured on a gelatin coated 6-well plate with fibroblasts in monolayer and later spherified using sodium alginate. Spheres were submerged in specifically designed conditioned media to encourage differentiation of the mESCs into germ-like cells. Over the course of differentiation, cells were assessed for germ cell differentiation biomarkers. Considering that a normal spermatogenesis occur in 30 days, utilization of the de novo gametes was planned for day-15, 22, 29 and 36.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Mouse ESCs were differentiated by submerging the spheres in EpiLC medium containing Activin A, bFGF and KSR for 3 days followed by PGCLC medium containing BMP4, LIF, SCF and EGF for up to 36 days. Differentiation was assessed for markers DAZL (spermatogonium), VASA (spermatocyte), BOULE (post-meiotic stage) and acrosin (spermatid). Differentiated cells were then injected into oocytes and activated by calcium ionophore. Embryo development was monitored in a time-lapse incubator.

Main results and the role of chance

The evaluation of germline-specific markers through immunofluorescence revealed consistent levels of Vasa expression, a ubiquitous germline marker, with percentages at 15% on day-3, 18% on day-10, 17% on day-15, 19% on day-22, 20% on day-29, and 13% on day-36. Dazl, a specific marker for spermatogonia, exhibited a peak expression of 45% on day-10 in spherified cells. Boule, expressed by secondary spermatocytes, reached its highest level of 10% on day-15 but progressively decreased to 8% on day-22. Acrosin, a marker for spermatids, initially manifested at day-10 at 2% positivity and increased to 5% on day-15, reaching 7% on day-22, and peaked at 20% on day-29. According to spermatogenic marker expression, the neogametes follows a maturational profile similar to in vivo mouse spermatogenesis.

To prove neogametes competence, we inject the neogametes into mature oocytes. The control ICSI cohort achieved 89.2% fertilization and 77.8% blastocyst rates. Neogametes generated on day-15, 22, 29 and 36, achieved fertilization rates of 35.0%, 61.1%, 81.8% and 75.0%, respectively, and yielded blastulation rates of 5.0%, 16.7%, 36.4% and 8.3%, respectively. Resulting embryos had morphokinesis comparable to control up to the 8-cell stage, but a delay was observed from compaction to blastocyst hatching.

Limitations, reasons for caution

In spite of the ability to fertilize normally and support blastulation, efficiency rate remained suboptimal. More importantly, the ability to generate live offspring still has to be proven.

Wider implications of the findings

This novel 3D differentiation model is capable of generating competent gametes and obviate the need for allo-/xeno-geneic transplantation. Once reproducibility and ability to obtain healthy offspring are confirmed, this method may represent a novel treatment option for azoospermic men

Trial registration number

N/A