Spermatogonial stem cell preservation and restoration
Principal Investigators: Prof. Dr. Ellen Goossens, Prof. Dr. Herman Tournaye
PhD Students: Dr. Elissavet Ntemou, Emily Delgouffe
The preservation and transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is a potential strategy to circumvent sterility: frozen-thawed SSCs can be transplanted back into the cured patient to restore spermatogenesis. For almost 20 years, the research group BITE performed pioneering work to develop this strategy towards a clinical application. For patients at high risk of losing their SSCs, the cryopreservation of SSCs is a valuable clinical tool to preserve their fertility. The research group BITE developed optimal protocols to cryopreserve either testicular cell suspensions or testicular tissue containing SSCs. These protocols are now being used in clinical fertility preservation programmes. The UZ Brussel started in 2002 to store testicular tissue of young boys who are at high risk of losing their spermatogonia.
In order to harvest their testicular tissue, these young boys need to undergo a testicular tissue biopsy. Although the biopsy procedure itself does not have a high complication rate, little is known about its effects on the long-term. BITE studies the effect of a testicular biopsy on the later pubertal development and fertility.
At adulthood, spermatogenesis could be restored by transplanting back the frozen-thawed SSCs into the cured patient. The technique of spermatogonial stem cell transplantation involves the injection of a testicular cell suspension containing SSCs into the seminiferous tubules. An alternative method is testicular tissue grafting. Testicular tissue fragments can be grafted into both ectopic and homotopic locations. The research group BITE was the first to show SSC differentiation in human tissue grafted into the mouse testis.
In vitro spermatogenesis
Principal Investigators: Prof. Dr. Ellen Goossens, Prof. Dr. Yoni Baert
PhD Students: Samuel Silva, Katerina Papageorgiou
Although donor gametes might offer a chance of starting a family for infertile patients, often the wish for genetic parenthood remains. Autotransplantation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) could restore fertility, but only in certain cases. When transplantation is not applicable, in vitro spermatogenesis could result in patient-specific gametes. Research at BITE focuses on developing new culture systems for human in vitro spermatogenesis using state-of-the-art tissue engineering approaches such as organoid technology and 3D bioprinting. When SSCs can be retrieved from the patient, these primary cells can be used to differentiate towards fertilization-competent gametes. Alongside in vitro spermatogenesis, BITE also performs toxicological studies on in vitro testicular tissue and organoid cultures.
Networks on fertility preservation
COST Action ANDRONET aims to boost research collaboration, education and public awareness in andrology, a field of science that deals with male health.
ORCHID-NET consortium is an international network of experts in the field of male fertility preservation.
