Germ cell transplantation for the propagation of companion animals, non-domestic and endangered species
I. Dobrinski A C and A. J. Travis BA Center for Animal Transgenesis and Germ Cell Research, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 382 West Street Rd., Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA.
B Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
C Corresponding author. Email: dobrinsk@vet.upenn.edu
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 19(6) 732-739 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD07036
Submitted: 26 February 2007 Accepted: 21 March 2007 Published: 2 August 2007
Abstract
The transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells between males results in a recipient animal producing spermatozoa carrying a donor’s haplotype. First pioneered in rodents, this technique has now been used in several animal species. Importantly, germ cell transplantation was successful between unrelated, immuno-competent large animals, whereas efficient donor-derived spermatogenesis in rodents requires syngeneic or immuno-compromised recipients. Transplantation requires four steps: recipient preparation, donor cell isolation, transplantation and identifying donor-derived spermatozoa. There are two main applications for this technology. First, genetic manipulation of isolated germ line stem cells and subsequent transplantation will result in production of transgenic spermatozoa. Transgenesis through the male germ line has tremendous potential in species in which embryonic stem cells are not available and somatic cell nuclear transfer and reprogramming pose several problems. Second, spermatogonial stem cell transplantation within or between species offers a means of preserving the reproductive potential of genetically valuable individuals. This might have significance in the captive propagation of non-domestic animals of high conservation value. Transplantation of germ cells is a uniquely valuable approach for the study, preservation and manipulation of male fertility in mammalian species.
Additional keywords: non-rodent animals, testis.
Acknowledgements
Work from the authors’ laboratories presented here was supported by 5R01RR017359–04 (NCRR/NIH), 2R42-HD044780–02 (NIH/NICHD) and USDA/CSREES/NRICGP (2003–35203–13486) to ID and the Morris Animal Foundation, the Cornell Feline Health Center and the Baker Institute (A.J.T.).
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