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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
A Standardized Approach for Multispecies Purification of Mammalian Male Germ Cells by Mechanical Tissue Dissociation and Flow Cytometry
Published on: July 12, 2017
[Preliminary screening of specific surface markers of human spermatogonial stem cells]
Yan-feng Li1, Ying-lu Guo, Xiao-hong Li
1Department of Urology, Institute of Field Surgery, Daping Hospital, the Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China. lyf1000@yahoo.com.cn
Objective:
To explore the specific surface markers for the isolation and purification of human spermatogonial stem cells (SSC).
Methods:
Specific markers of human SSC were screened and identified in fetal and adult testes by immunohistochemical assay, using HSC markers c-kit, Thy-1 and human ES integrins.
Results:
In human adult testes, the alpha6 integrin extensively and significantly expressed on the surface of most of the germ cells in the seminiferous tubule, and beta1 integrin mainly expressed on the surface of the germ cells residing on or near the basal membrane in the seminiferous tubule. Thy-1 scattering expressed on the surface of some cells of the basal membrane, and on some Leydig cells as well. The three antigen markers expressed on the SSC of human adult testes specifically to some extent. SSEA-1 specifically expressed on the surface of the gonocytes in the fetal testes.
Conclusion:
The alpha6 and beta1 integrins and Thy-1 may be used for the SSC isolation as positive markers. SSEA-1 can be used as an identification marker for the fetus SSC.
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