Effects of Follicle-stimulating Hormone and Epidermal Growth Factor on Proliferation of Mouse Spermatogonial Cells

Abstract: A serum-free germ-somatic cell coculture model was established to evaluate the effects of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on proliferation of mouse type A spermatogonial cells. Immunocytochemical staining for c-kit， EGF and EGF receptor (EGFR) were performed after 24 h culture and cell proliferation was assessed after 72 h culture. Results showed that ITS medium supplemented with insulin， transferring and selenite could maintained spermatogonial cell survival， with increased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Type A spermatogonial cells manifested positive c-kit staining， and both EGF and EGFR were mainly expressed in spermatogonial cells. FSH (1-100 ng/ml) or EGF (1-10 ng/ml) treatment significantly increased spermatogonial colony number. Furthermore， EGF (0.1 ng/ml) could synergize with 10 ng/ml FSH to increase the colony number， but inhibited FSH-stimulated effect at 1-10 ng/ml. The above results indicated that EGF could synergize with FSH to promote proliferation of spermatogonial cells.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2007.04.0022