Identifying undifferentiated bovine spermatogonial stem cells

• Grant number: 12/16157-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: January 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: José Antonio Visintin
• Grantee: Marcelo Demarchi Goissis
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are responsible for maintaining spermatogenesis throughout the life of an individual. These cells can be isolated and transplanted, resulting in colonization and restoration of testicular function. Due to this ability, SSCs have the potential to produce transgenic animals. However, markers used for selection of these cells do not recognize the true testicular stem cells. The number of studies aiming to characterize these cells in bovine is smaller than in mouse. In this proposal, we will test the hypothesis that SOX2, NANOG or OCT4 are markers for bovine undifferentiated SSCs in three experiments. First, expression of these aforementioned genes will be verified in the testicular tissue, together with other markers used for SSC selection. Then, we intend to find genes differentially expressed in the population of testis cells that are positive for one of the markers tested. In the third experiment, isolated SSCs will be transplanted into mice and colony formation will be assessed. We intend with this proposal identify markers of undifferentiated bovine SSCs and also identify cellular membrane markers that are present in this population of cells. Therefore, we aim to obtain a more efficient cellular population to colonize testis after transplantation.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DOS SANTOS HAMILTON, THAIS ROSE; PEREZ SIQUEIRA, ADRIANO FELIPE; DE CASTRO, LETICIA SIGNORI; MENDES, CAMILLA MOTA; DELGADO, JULIANA DE CARVALHO; DE ASSIS, PATRICIA MONKEN; MESQUITA, LEONARDO PEREIRA; MAIORKA, PAULO CESAR; NICHI, MARCILIO; GOISSIS, MARCELO DEMARCHI; et al. Effect of Heat Stress on Sperm DNA: Protamine Assessment in Ram Spermatozoa and Testicle. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY, 2018. (11/11231-8, 13/05025-1, 11/19551-1, 12/16157-3)

GOISSIS, MARCELO D.; GIASSETTI, MARIANA I.; WORST, ROBINSON A.; MENDES, CAMILLA M.; MOREIRA, PEDRO V.; ASSUMPCAO, MAYRA E. O. A.; VISINTIN, JOSE A.. Spermatogonial stem cell potential of CXCR4-positive cells from prepubertal bull testes. Animal Reproduction Science, v. 196, p. 219-229, SEP 2018. (13/03495-0, 12/16157-3)

DOS SANTOS HAMILTON, THAIS ROSE; PEREZ SIQUEIRA, ADRIANO FELIPE; DE CASTRO, LETICIA SIGNORI; MENDES, CAMILLA MOTA; DELGADO, JULIANA DE CARVALHO; DE ASSIS, PATRICIA MONKEN; MESQUITA, LEONARDO PEREIRA; MAIORKA, PAULO CESAR; NICHI, MARCILIO; GOISSIS, MARCELO DEMARCHI; et al. Effect of Heat Stress on Sperm DNA: Protamine Assessment in Ram Spermatozoa and Testicle. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY, v. 2018, p. 14-pg., 2018-01-01. (12/16157-3, 13/05025-1, 11/11231-8, 11/19551-1)