Germ cell transplantation and the study of testicular function

Spermatogonial stem cell transplantation is a novel technique in which dono r testicular cells are transferred into recipient testes. A population of g erm cells from a transgenic or mutant donor is introduced into the seminife rous tubules of recipient testes by microinjection, Following injections, s permatogonial stem cells can colonize the recipient testis, initiate sperma togenesis and produce sperm capable of fertilization. This technique will a llow scientists to: (1) investigate fundamental aspects of spermatogenesis; (2) provide a method to regenerate spermatogenesis in infertile individual s; and (3) genetically manipulate spermatogonial stem cells to develop tran sgenic animals.