Use of confocal microscopy for the study of spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis consists of spermatogonial proliferation, meiosis and spermatid differentiation. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) may be used as an advanced analytical tool to follow spermatogenesis inside the seminiferous tubules without performing histological sections. For this purpose, separated seminiferous tubules are fixed in 0.5% paraformaldehyde, stained for DNA with propidium iodide and analyzed by LSCM. By producing longitudinal optical sections in the layer of spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids, stage-specific changes in their structure may be followed within the tubules by LSCM. Longitudinal z-sections may be obtained to produce three-dimensional images of the seminiferous tubules. In addition, different proteins may be followed during spermatogenesis in a stage specific manner within the tubule by incubation of the fixed seminiferous tubules with appropriate antibodies. As an example of the spermatogenesis studies using described LSCM techniques, detailed examination of spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids during golden hamster spermatogenesis is presented. LSCM analysis of c-kit and SC3 protein expression at different stages of hamster spermatogenesis is demonstrated.