Establishment of a Coilia nasus Spermatogonial Stem Cell Line Capable of Spermatogenesis In Vitro

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Induction of sperm cell differentiation in vitro is a key technology for conserving germplasm resources. Coilia nasus is an anadromous fish with commercial value found in the Yangtze River in China. Overfishing and deteriorating ecological conditions have almost caused the extinction of the C. nasus’s natural resources in the past decade. To preserve the declining population of C. nasus, a stable spermatogonial stem cell line (CnSSC) of C. nasus was obtained. The cell line remained proliferative and maintained stable cell morphology, a normal diploid karyotype, and normal gene expression patterns for over a year. Additionally, the cells could differentiate into sperm. Our research results contribute to further research on endangered fish germplasm resources of significant value. ABSTRACT: The process by which spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) continuously go through mitosis, meiosis, and differentiation to produce gametes that transmit genetic information is known as spermatogenesis. Recapitulation of spermatogenesis in vitro is hindered by the challenge of collecting spermatogonial stem cells under long-term in vitro culture conditions. Coilia nasus is a commercially valuable anadromous migrant fish found in the Yangtze River in China. In the past few decades, exploitation and a deteriorating ecological environment have nearly caused the extinction of C. nasus’s natural resources. In the present study, we established a stable spermatogonial stem cell line (CnSSC) from the gonadal tissue of the endangered species C. nasus. The cell line continued to proliferate and maintain stable cell morphology, a normal diploid karyotype, and gene expression patterns after more than one year of cell culture (>80 passages). Additionally, CnSSC cells could successfully differentiate into sperm cells through a coculture system. Therefore, the establishment of endangered species spermatogonial stem cell lines is a model for studying spermatogenesis in vitro and a feasible way to preserve germplasm resources.