Germ cell depletion using HSV-TK in mouse testes.

ABSTRACT: Germ cell transplantation is useful for the study of male germ cells and the generation of genetically modified animals. For transplantation, germ cell-free hosts generated using anticancer drug treatment, irradiation exposure, or genetic mutation are required. In this study, we aimed to develop a new system for germ cell depletion, more in compliance with the "3R" principles. For this purpose, we generated knock-in mice expressing a subtype of the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV-TK30), reported to not induce infertility, unlike the original HSV-TK gene. Ganciclovir injection resulted in nearly complete abrogation of spermatogenesis. Furthermore, transplanted spermatogonial stem cells were differentiated into sperm in the host testes, and they gave rise to offspring. Ther

SUBMITTER: Dollet C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11926112 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature