Thy1-Positive Spermatogonia Suppress the Proliferation of Spermatogonial Stem Cells by Extracellular Vesicles In Vitro

The self-renewal of mammalian spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) supports spermatogenesis to produce spermatozoa, and this is precisely controlled in a stem niche microenvironment in the seminiferous tubules. Although studies have revealed the role of the surrounding factors in SSCs, little is known about whether the division of SSCs is controlled by extracellular vesicles. Here, extracellular vesicles were found in the basal compartment of seminiferous tubules in mouse, rat, rabbit and human testes. In the mice, the testicular extracellular vesicles are secreted by spermatogonia and are taken up by SSCs. Further, the extracellular vesicles from thy1-positive spermatogonia were purified by anti-Thy1-coupled magnetic beads, which suppress their proliferation of SSCs but do not lead to the apoptosis in vitro.

Automated summary

This study identified the presence of extracellular vesicles in the basal compartment of mammalian seminiferous tubules, and demonstrated their role in controlling the proliferation of spermatogonial stem cells without inducing apoptosis. It sheds light on the potential regulatory mechanisms of SSCs by extracellular vesicles.