https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index en-au 5 https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:45116 n = 6; aged 1–14 years) who underwent testis tissue cryopreservation for fertility preservation. Fresh and frozen-thawed testis fragments were transplanted subcutaneously or intratesticularly into immunocompromised mice. Graft-bearing mice received injections of vehicle or exogenous gonadotrophins, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG, 20 IU), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH, 12.5 IU) three times a week for 12 weeks. The gross morphology of vehicle and gonadotrophin-exposed grafts was similar for both transplantation sites. Exposure of prepubertal human testis tissue xenografts to exogenous gonadotrophins resulted in limited endocrine function of grafts, as demonstrated by the occasional expression of the steroidogenic cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1). Plasma testosterone concentrations (0.13 vs. 0.25 ng/mL; p = 0.594) and seminal vesicle weights (10.02 vs. 13.93 mg; p = 0.431) in gonadotrophin-exposed recipient mice were comparable to vehicle-exposed controls. Regardless of the transplantation site and treatment, initiation and maintenance of androgen receptor (AR) expression were observed in Sertoli cells, indicating commitment towards a more differentiated status. However, neither exogenous gonadotrophins (in castrated host mice) nor endogenous testosterone (in intact host mice) were sufficient to repress the expression of markers associated with immature Sertoli cells, such as anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and Ki67, or to induce the redistribution of junctional proteins (connexin 43, CX43; claudin 11, CLDN11) to areas adjacent to the basement membrane. Spermatogonia did not progress developmentally but remained the most advanced germ cell type in testis xenografts. Overall, these findings demonstrate that exogenous gonadotrophins promote partial activation and maturation of the somatic environment in prepubertal testis xenografts. However, alternative hormone regimens or additional factors for pubertal induction are required to complete the functional maturation of the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) niche.]]> Wed 26 Oct 2022 13:34:31 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:13231 Sat 24 Mar 2018 08:17:38 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:10940 Sat 24 Mar 2018 08:10:41 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:11344 Sat 24 Mar 2018 08:08:16 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:32314 Mon 23 Sep 2019 12:52:02 AEST ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:48481 Mon 20 Mar 2023 09:59:40 AEDT ]]>