page_title: In vitro spermatogenesis
section_title: Testes fragment cultures
hierarchical_section_title: In vitro spermatogenesis / Culture techniques / Testes fragment cultures
caption_attribution_description: English: This image shows the difference in processing between testis organ culture and cell culture in a male mouse. Published on a Creative Common Lisence in 'Oncotarget' an Open Access Impact Journal in 2017.
context_page_description: In vitro spermatogenesis is the process of creating male gametes outside of the body in a culture system. The process could be useful for fertility preservation, infertility treatment and may further develop the understanding of spermatogenesis at the cellular and molecular level.
  Spermatogenesis is a highly complex process and artificially rebuilding it in vitro is challenging. These include creating a similar microenvironment to that of the testis as well as supporting endocrine and paracrine signalling, and ensuring survival of the somatic and germ cells from spermatogonial stem cells to mature spermatozoa.
  Different methods of culturing can be used in the process such as isolated cell cultures, fragment cultures and 3D cultures.
context_section_description: In fragment cultures, the testis is removed and fragments of tissue are cultured in supplemental media containing different growth factors to induce spermatogenesis and form functional gametes. The development of this culture technique has taken place mainly with the use of animal models e.g. mice or rat testis tissue.
  The advantage of using this method is that it maintains the natural spatial arrangement of the seminiferous tubules. However, hypoxia is a recurring problem in these cultures where the low oxygen supply hinders the development and maturation of spermatids (significantly more in adult than immature testis tissues). Other challenges with this type of culture include maintaining the structure of the seminiferous tubules which makes it more difficult for longer-term cell cultures as the tissue structures can flatten out making it hard to work with. To resolve some of these issues, 3D cultures can be used.
  In 2012, mature spermatozoa capable of fertilization was isolated from in vitro culture of immature mouse testis tissue.
caption: This image shows the difference in process between organ culture and cell culture.
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