Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male reproductive...

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is a complex process that involves the development of sperm cells from undifferentiated stem cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The process is essential for the production of mature and functional sperm cells that are capable of fertilizing an egg.
The process of spermatogenesis can be divided into mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During mitosis, the spermatogonia or stem cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, type A and B spermatogonia. Type-A...

Testes: Histology

Testes: Histology

A tough, fibrous membrane, the tunica albuginea, covers the testes, extending inward to form fibrous partitions or septa, dividing them into internal compartments called lobules. Each lobule has 1 to 3 tightly coiled seminiferous tubules where sperm production occurs. These tubules merge into a tubular network at the back of the testis, known as the rete testis. It connects to 15 to 20 efferent ductules, leading to the epididymis.
The spermatogenic cells, responsible for producing sperm, are...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A dried platelet-derived biologic for blood-brain barrier repair and hemorrhage control after TBI in mice.

Blood·2026

Same author

Biology of novel LpxC inhibitors for <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> informs strategy for therapeutic innovation.

Microbiology spectrum·2026

Same author

Pathogen reduction diminishes the protective effects of platelets on endothelial barrier permeability in vitro.

Blood vessels, thrombosis & hemostasis·2025

Same author

PCP protein Prickle 1 regulates Sertoli cell and testis function via cytoskeletal organization through the recruitment of multiple regulatory proteins.

American journal of physiology. Cell physiology·2025

Same author

scRNA-Seq-Based Transcriptome Profiling and Relevant Bioinformatics Approaches to Uncover Novel Insights in Studying Human Spermatogenesis.

Advances in experimental medicine and biology·2025

Same author

Interacting Fat1 and Dchs Planar Cell Polarity Proteins Supported by Fjx1 Serve as Heterodimeric Intercellular Bridges Crucial to Support Spermatogenesis.

Advances in experimental medicine and biology·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Isolation of Sertoli Cells and Peritubular Cells from Rat Testes

Isolation of Sertoli Cells and Peritubular Cells from Rat Testes

Published on: February 8, 2016

Characterization and functionality of proliferative human Sertoli cells.

Kitty Chui¹, Alpa Trivedi, C Yan Cheng

¹MandalMed, Inc., San Francisco, CA 94107, USA.

Cell Transplantation

|November 9, 2010

Summary

Human Sertoli cells, previously thought to be nondividing, can be readily cultured and expanded in vitro from adult testes. These functional cells offer potential applications in reproductive health research and cell therapy.

More Related Videos

Extra Cellular Matrix-Based and Extra Cellular Matrix-Free Generation of Murine Testicular Organoids

Extra Cellular Matrix-Based and Extra Cellular Matrix-Free Generation of Murine Testicular Organoids

Published on: October 7, 2020

Generation of Porcine Testicular Organoids with Testis Specific Architecture using Microwell Culture

Generation of Porcine Testicular Organoids with Testis Specific Architecture using Microwell Culture

Published on: October 3, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Isolation of Sertoli Cells and Peritubular Cells from Rat Testes

Isolation of Sertoli Cells and Peritubular Cells from Rat Testes

Published on: February 8, 2016

Extra Cellular Matrix-Based and Extra Cellular Matrix-Free Generation of Murine Testicular Organoids

Extra Cellular Matrix-Based and Extra Cellular Matrix-Free Generation of Murine Testicular Organoids

Published on: October 7, 2020

Generation of Porcine Testicular Organoids with Testis Specific Architecture using Microwell Culture

Generation of Porcine Testicular Organoids with Testis Specific Architecture using Microwell Culture

Published on: October 3, 2019

Area of Science:

Reproductive Biology
Cell Biology
Stem Cell Research

Background:

Mammalian Sertoli cells were traditionally considered terminally differentiated and non-proliferative after puberty.
Previous in vitro studies using immature rodent Sertoli cells demonstrated limited proliferative capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

To isolate, characterize, and assess the proliferative potential of human Sertoli cells from adult testes in vitro.
To determine if functional human Sertoli cells can be expanded for research and therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

Isolation and culture of Sertoli cells from human cadaveric testes (ages 12-36).
Assessment of proliferation using 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation and doubling time.
Characterization via electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Evaluation of tight junction formation and functional properties using transwell inserts and galectin-1 secretion.

Main Results:

Human Sertoli cells from adult testes proliferated readily in vitro with a doubling time of approximately 4 days.
Cells exhibited classical Sertoli cell ultrastructure, expressed key markers (GATA-4, Sox9, FSHr), and showed multipotent mesenchymal cell markers.
Functional tight junctions were formed, and cells could be expanded and cryopreserved.

Conclusions:

Functional human Sertoli cells can be propagated in vitro from adult testicular tissue.
These expandable Sertoli cells have significant potential for applications in infertility, reproductive toxicology, testicular cancer research, and cell-based therapies.