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Reproduction, Fertility and Development Reproduction, Fertility and Development Society
Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

In vitro effects of epidermal growth factor, follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone on mouse spermatogonial cell colony formation

S. Hadi Anjamrooz A , Mansoureh Movahedin A C , Taki Tiraihi A and S. Javad Mowla B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran.

B Department of Genetics, School of Basic Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran.

C Corresponding author. Email: mansoure@modares.ac.ir

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 18(6) 709-720 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD05126
Submitted: 29 September 2005  Accepted: 9 April 2006   Published: 11 July 2006

Abstract

The complex process of spermatogenesis is regulated by various factors. In the present study, the in vitro effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone on spermatogonial cell colony formation were investigated, and the best colonising factor was chosen for treating cells before transplantation. Sertoli and spermatogonial cells were isolated from neonatal mouse testes. The identity of the cells was confirmed through analysis of morphology, alkaline phosphatase activity, immunoreactivity and transplantation. Co-cultured Sertoli and spermatogonial cells were treated with EGF, FSH and testosterone before colony assay. Results indicated that EGF is the best factor for in vitro colonisation of spermatogonial cells, but transplantation of the EGF-treated group did not show any significant change compared with the control groups. In conclusion, EGF increased in vitro colonisation of spermatogonial cells, but, as a result of differential effects, did not influence transplantation efficiency.

Extra keywords: co-culture, colonisation, cytokine, spermatogenesis, spermatozoa.


Acknowledgments

This work was supported, in part, by a research grant from Tarbiat Modarres University.


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