Future Outlook for Developing Ex Vivo Models to Study Germline Developmentand Fertility Preservation

Abstract

Innovative technologies offer promising potential to transform the future of reproductive biology by developing specialized ex vivo models and tools for research by providing personalized therapeutic treatment options, which can be translated from bench to bedside [1−4]. Keeping future perspective in view, the potential of emerging tools need to be explored to gain a deeper insight in understanding the regenerative potential of germ cells, gonadal function and for developing clinical options for fertility preservation [5−7]. During germline development Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs) undergo sex specific differentiation and give rise to male and female germ cells during sex specific gonadal development [2]. PGC specification occurs during epiblast stage in humans, and is regulated by a tripartite network of transcription factors Prdm1, Prdm14 and Tfap2c.