Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026
A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model
Published on: February 6, 2018
Spermatogenesis in the Microminipig
Akihisa Kangawa1, Masayoshi Otake2, Satoko Enya2
1Swine and Poultry Department, Shizuoka Prefectural Research Institute of Animal Industry, Swine and Poultry Research Center, Kikugawa, Shizuoka, Japan pigmed@sp-exp.pref.shizuoka.jp.
Abstract:
The microminipig has considerable potential as an animal model to evaluate general toxicity; however, there are few studies on the male reproductive system, particularly regarding spermatogenesis. The objectives of the present study were to clarify the stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle on the basis of spermiogenesis and to determine the duration of spermatogenesis in the microminipig. Eleven microminipigs from 6 to 9 months of age were used for histological analyses. Spermiogenesis and stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle were classified according to the degree of acrosomal development as shown by the periodic acid-Schiff reaction. Three of the animals were intravenously injected with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine to determine the duration of spermatogenesis by immunohistochemistry. Spermiogenesis was classified into 15 steps according to the morphological development of the acrosome, nucleus, and flagellum. The seminiferous epithelium cycle was classified into 11 stages based on the steps of spermatid development and germ cell associations. The length of the seminiferous epithelium cycle and the overall spermatogenesis process in the microminipig were estimated to be approximately 9.1 and 40.9 days, respectively. The results indicate the potential application of the microminipig in the evaluation of testicular toxicity, such as spermatogenesis disruption, in general toxicity studies.
Insights
The microminipig
Area of Science:
- Reproductive toxicology
- Animal models
- Spermatogenesis
Background:
- Microminipigs show promise for general toxicity testing.
- Limited data exists on male reproductive system function, especially spermatogenesis.
- Understanding spermatogenesis is crucial for assessing testicular toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the seminiferous epithelium cycle stages in microminipigs based on spermiogenesis.
- To determine the duration of spermatogenesis in this animal model.
- To establish the microminipig as a model for reproductive toxicity studies.
Main Methods:
- Histological analysis of testicular tissue from 11 microminipigs (6-9 months old).
- Classification of spermiogenesis and seminiferous epithelium cycle stages using periodic acid-Schiff staining.
- Determination of spermatogenesis duration via 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine injection and immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- Spermiogenesis was classified into 15 steps based on acrosome, nucleus, and flagellum morphology.
- The seminiferous epithelium cycle was divided into 11 stages, characterized by spermatid development and germ cell associations.
- The estimated duration of the seminiferous epithelium cycle was 9.1 days, and total spermatogenesis was 40.9 days.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully characterized the seminiferous epithelium cycle and spermatogenesis duration in microminipigs.
- These findings support the utility of the microminipig model for evaluating testicular toxicity, including spermatogenesis disruption.
- The established parameters provide a baseline for future reproductive toxicology studies using microminipigs.
Related Concept Videos
01:41Spermatogenesis
01:22Spermatogenesis
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...