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Developmental underpinnings of spermatogonial stem cell establishment
Author(s) -
Law Nathan C.,
Oatley Jon M.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
andrology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.947
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 2047-2927
pISSN - 2047-2919
DOI - 10.1111/andr.12810
Subject(s) - population , biology , germline , epigenetics , evolutionary biology , stem cell , inheritance (genetic algorithm) , process (computing) , livestock , environmental ethics , genetics , ecology , computer science , gene , sociology , demography , operating system , philosophy
Background The germline serves as a conduit for transmission of genetic and epigenetic information from one generation to the next. In males, spermatozoa are the final carriers of inheritance and their continual production is supported by a foundational population of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) that forms from prospermatogonial precursors during the early stages of neonatal development. In mammals, the timing for which SSCs are specified and the underlying mechanisms guiding this process remain to be completely understood. Objectives To propose an evolving concept for how the foundational SSC population is established. Materials and methods This review summarizes recent and historical findings from peer‐reviewed publications made primarily with mouse models while incorporating limited studies from humans and livestock. Results and conclusion Establishment of the SSC population appears to follow a biphasic pattern involving a period of fate programming followed by an establishment phase that culminates in formation of the SSC population. This model for establishment of the foundational SSC population from precursors is anticipated to extend across mammalian species and include humans and livestock, albeit on different timescales.