O-101 Neospermatogenesis benefits from a three-dimensional culture system

AbstractStudy questionDoes a three-dimensional (3D) culture system increase the efficiency of male germline differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) over a bidimensional method?Summary answerOur 3D culture system based on direct spherification proves superior to the standard bidimensional plating in promoting neogametogenesis of mESC into post-meiotic male germ cells.What is known alreadyTwo-dimensional monolayer cell cultures are common in stem cell research. However, this method does not replicate a physiological 3D spatial relationship and may provide an inaccurate replication ofin vivo environments. A 3D spherical structure allows us to mimic the seminiferous tubule, the site ofin vivo spermatogenesis. By using spheroids as a scaffold to replicate cell culture systems, we can study spermatogenesis in a controlled setting. Direct spherification, a technique commonly used in molecular gastronomy, provides an opportunity to create spheroids that mimicin vivo events that materialize in the labStudy design, size, durationmESCs were initially cultured on a 6-well plate coated with fibroblasts and inserted into sodium alginate spheres. To coax differentiation, spheres (3 to 6  mm in diameter) were plunged directly into differentiation medium (DM) while the control mESC in 6-well dishes were layered with it. Cells obtained from both culture systems were tested by biomarkers for different germ cell stagesParticipants/materials, setting, methodsBidimensional mESC at 8...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research