Naslov
Spermatogonial Stem Cell Cryopreservation for Fertility Preservation

Autori
Vilaj, Marija ; Golubić-Ćepulić, Branka ; Ježek, Davor

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Poglavlja u knjigama, pregledni

Knjiga
Stem Cells in Reproductive Tissues and Organs. Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine

Urednik/ci
Virant-Klun, Irma

Izdavač
Humana Press

Godina
2022

Raspon stranica
155-177

ISBN
978-3-030-90110-3

ISSN
2196-8985

Ključne riječi
Cancer ; Cryopreservation ; Fertility restoration ; Spermatogonia ; Spermatogonial stem cells ; Testicular tissue

Sažetak
Introduction: Recent advances in cancer treatment have led to a higher survival rate in children and young adults. However, oncological therapies are related to impaired fertility due to their direct toxic effect on gonadal function, causing the depletion of germ cell number, or they act indirectly by damaging the somatic testicular cells and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), which consequently results in later fertility disruption. Therefore, strategies for fertility preservation and subsequent restoration have become an important focus of researchers around the world. Methods: We summarize new knowledge on freezing spermatogonia stem cells to maintain fertility in humans. Results: Cryopreservation of spermatozoa is the most established method of fertility preservation before gonadotoxic treatments in male adolescents who have undergone puberty and it is nowadays a clinical routine. Meanwhile, fertility preservation and restoration in prepubertal boys for whom spermatogenesis has not yet started is challenging because they are unable to produce sperm. To date, all known strategies for this purpose are experimental and far from clinical application. The only currently available option of fertility preservation in this group of cancer patients is the cryopreservation of testicular tissue containing SSCs that can be later used for autologous transplantation in order to restore fertility. Conclusions: Despite the achievements in this field, cryopreserved human testicular tissue containing SSCs has not yet resulted in sperm production and it is, therefore, necessary to improve and standardize methods for testicular tissue and testicular cell cryopreservation, SSCs isolation, their in vitro culture, and propagation. Furthermore, refinement of sorting methods is also required to achieve the efficient enrichment of human spermatogonia and avoid the coincidental introduction of neoplastic cells.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

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