Haploid like spermatid generation by transplantation of neonatal mouse testicular tissue into the epididymal fat of castrated adult mouse.

Objective: Many cancer survivors may experience irreversible infertility due to chemotherapy treatment for childhood cancer. In this study, spermatogenesis development was evaluated following the grafting of fresh and frozen-thawed testicular tissue from neonatal mice to the epididymal fat of adult mice.

Methods: After bilateral castration of recipient mice, fresh or frozen-thawed neonatal testis tissues were grafted into the epididymal fat of the mice. Grafted testicular tissue was evaluated eight weeks after implantation using H&E staining, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence staining, and TUNEL assay. Blood was drawn from recipient mice to determine testosterone, FSH, and LH levels.

Results: A gradient of different types of germ cells, from spermatogonia to elongated spermatids was observed. The upregulation of meiotic and post-meiotic genes and proteins in fresh and frozen grafted groups confirmed the progression of meiosis and post-meiosis in grafted tissues. There were no significant differences in the expression of apoptosis and necrosis genes between the grafted and non-grafted control groups. Additionally, no significant differences were observed between the control and experimental groups in hormonal assessments.

Conclusions: The optimal hormonal and temperature conditions of the epididymal fat could support spermatogenesis in grafted immature testicular tissue. This grafting technique could pave the way for fertility preservation.