Germ cell transplantation in goats

Abstract

Transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells provides a unique approach for the study of spermatogenesis and manipulation of the male germ line. This technique may also offer an alternative to the currently inefficient methods of producing transgenic domestic animals. We have recently established the technique of spermatogonial transplantation, originally developed in laboratory rodents, in pigs, and this study was aimed to extend the technique to the goat. Isolated donor testis cells were infused into the seminiferous tubules of anesthetized recipient goats through an ultrasonographically-guided catheter inserted into the rete testis. Donor cells were obtained by enzymatic digestion of freshly collected testes from immature goats (either from the recipients' contralateral testis or from unrelated donors). Prior to transplantation, testis cells were labeled with a fluorescent marker to allow identification after transplantation. Recipient testes were examined for the presence and localization of labeled donor cells at 3-week intervals up to 12 weeks after transplantation. Labeled donor cells were found in the seminiferous tubules of all testes, comprising 10-35% of the examined tubules. Histological examination of the recipient testes did not reveal evident tissue damage, except for limited fibrotic changes at the site of needle insertion. Likewise there were no detectable local or systemic signs of immunologic reactions to the transplantations. These results indicate that germ cell transplantation is technically feasible in immature male goats and that donor-derived cells are retained in the recipient testis for at least three months and through puberty. This study represents the first report of germ cell transplantation in goats.