Abstract:
Rationale: Modelling the process of spermatogenesis is significant in elucidating important
mechanisms such as reduction in ploidy, chromatin repackaging, initiation of motility,
expression of different genes etc. Stem cell researchers are accumulating more data favouring
towards the hopes of infertile males.
Aim: To differentiate male germ cells using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from
human umbilical cord blood.
Methodology: MSCs from umbilical cord blood were isolated, expanded and characterized
using standard protocols. The cells at the second passage were induced with 10 μM All Trans
Retinoic Acid (ATRA) for two weeks. Stage specific genes expressed or suppressed at premeiotic,
meiotic and post-meiotic stages were detected using Reverse Transcriptase
Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) technique, before and after the ATRA treatment.
Morphological changes were assessed microscopically.
Results: OCT4 a stem cell marker, and PLZF an early Spermatogonial Stem Cells (SSCs)
marker, were down regulated during the induction period. Expression of other germ cell
markers; pre-meiotic (Stra8), meiotic (Scp3) and post-meiotic (Acr, Prm1, Tekt1) were up
regulated. However, morphological changes related to specific cell lineage were difficult to
differentiate.
Conclusion: Human cord blood derived MSCs can differentiate in to germ like cells without
genetic manipulation. Further studies are designed to improve the efficacy of the culture
system using sertoli cells and hormones.
