Sertoli cells are the source of stem cell factor for spermatogenesis

Several cell types have been proposed to create the required microenvironment for spermatogenesis. However, expression patterns of the key growth factors produced by these somatic cells have not been systematically studied and no such factor has been conditionally deleted from its primary source(s), raising the question of which cell type(s) are the physiological sources of these growth factors. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing and a series of fluorescent reporter mice, we found that stem cell factor (Scf), one of the essential growth factors for spermatogenesis, was broadly expressed in testicular stromal cells, including Sertoli, endothelial, Leydig, smooth muscle and Tcf21-CreER+ stromal cells. Both undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia were associated with Scf-expressing Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubule. Conditional deletion of Scf from Sertoli cells, but not any other Scf-expressing cells, blocked the differentiation of spermatogonia, leading to complete male infertility. Conditional overexpression of Scf in Sertoli cells, but not endothelial cells, significantly increased spermatogenesis. Our data reveal the importance of anatomical localization for Sertoli cells in regulating spermatogenesis and that SCF produced specifically by Sertoli cells is essential for spermatogenesis.

Automated summary

The study found that testicular stromal cells, including Sertoli, endothelial, Leydig, smooth muscle, and Tcf21-CreER+ stromal cells, express stem cell factor (SCF), an essential growth factor for spermatogenesis. Undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia were associated with SCF-expressing Sertoli cells. Conditional deletion of SCF from Sertoli cells blocked the differentiation of spermatogonia, leading to male infertility. Conditional overexpression of SCF in Sertoli cells significantly increased spermatogenesis.