Adhesions between different cells and extracellular matrix have been studied extensively in vitro, but little is known about their functions in testicular tissue counterparts. Spermatogonia and their companion somatic cells maintain a close association throughout spermatogenesis and this association is necessary for normal spermatogenesis. In order to keep the relative integrity of the testicular tissues, and to detect the development in vitro, culture testicular tissues in a three- dimensional （3D） agarose matrix was examined. Testicular tissues isolated from 6.5 d postpartum （dpp） mouse were cultured on the top of the matrix for 26 d with a medium height up to 4/5 of the 3D agarose matrix. The results showed that in this 3D culture environment, each type of testicular cells kept the same structure, localization and function as in vivo and might be more biologically relevant to living organisms. After culture, germ cell marker VASA and meiosis markers DAZL and SCP3 showed typical positive analysed by immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR. It demonstrated that this 3D culture system was able to maintain the number of germ cells and promote the meiosis initiation of male germ cells.
Dmrt1是Dmrt(doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor)基因家族成员之一,其在哺乳类、鸟类、爬行类、线虫和果蝇等多种物种中存在,是目前已知的最为保守的一个与性别分化相关的基因。该基因在性别分化期的雄性性腺及雄性成体的精巢中特异性表达,对于雄性性腺的形成和功能维持具有重要作用。该文主要简述Dmrt1在调节哺乳类动物生殖细胞发育、分化方面的研究进展及其存在的问题。
