Thesis
Responsiveness of the spermatogonial stem cell pool to retinoic acid
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2014
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100851
Abstract
The actions of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) provide the foundation for continual spermatogenesis within mammalian testes. Spermatogonial stem cells are capable of selfrenewal, to maintain a functional pool, and transition to progenitor cells and to generate more differentiated cells. The balance between self-renewal and differentiation is regulated by extrinsic factors from the niche microenvironment and factors expressed by the SSC pool. Deregulation of these two components may result in fertility defects and cancer. Currently, the mechanisms which regulate the self-renewal and in particular the transition of SSCs to progenitor cells are limited. In the adult testes, retinoic acid (RA) is secreted by Sertoli cells and pre-meiotic spermatocytes to induce differentiation in progenitor spermatogonia. Furthermore, the controlled release of RA is thought to be a key component of the wave-like pattern of spermatogenic stages observed in mammalian testes. Loss of RA as seen in vitamin A deficient mice, results in a block of spermatogenesis and the accumulation of undifferentiated spermatogonia. Despite the many studies investigating the differentiating potential of RA in progenitor spermatogonia little is known regarding the ability of SSCs to respond to RA. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether SSCs directly respond to RA.
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Details
- Title
- Responsiveness of the spermatogonial stem cell pool to retinoic acid
- Creators
- Anderson Ryan D.
- Contributors
- Jon M. Oatley (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Molecular Biosciences, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525299901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis