Spermatogonial stem cells: from mouse to dairy goats

Abstract Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the basis of sperm production in male animals. In addition to self-renewal and multidifferentiation potential, only SSCs transfer DNA to the next generation among adult stem cells. SSCs provide a platform for studying the mechanism of spermatogenesis. SSCs have the ability of self-renewal and differentiation, and the choice of self-renewal or differentiation depends on the regulation of cytokines in testicular niche. Cytokines bind to cell receptors, transmit signals to the cell, activating signaling pathway, thereby leading gene expression of self-renewal. This article will introduce the methods of isolation and purification of goat SSCs and the mechanism of cytokines, genes, and signal pathways that maintain the self-renewal of SSCs, which provide a better understanding of self-renewal of SSCs in male animals