The role of fibroblast growth factor receptor ۲ (FGFR۲) in differentiation of bovine spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs)

The receptors ۱ and ۲ of fibroblast growth factor (FGFR۱ and FGFR۲, respectively) have been observed in all types of testicular cells. Culture on extracellular matrix (ECM) has been observed to lead to initiation of differentiation in spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). The present study was carried out to investigate whether FGFR۱ and FGFR۲ play a role in SSCs differentiation. Following isolation, bovine testicular cells were cultured on ECM-coated or uncoated (control) plates for ۱۲ days. The gene expression of THY۱, cKIT, FGFR۱ and FGFR۲ was evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results related to the gene expression of markers of with undifferentiated (THY۱) and differentiated (cKIT) spermatogonia implicated stimulation of self-renewal and differentiation in cells cultured on ECM-coated and uncoated plates, respectively (p < ۰.۰۵). Concomitantly, the expression of FGFR۲ increased during culture in the ECM group (p < ۰.۰۵), whereas it did not change in the control group (p > ۰.۰۵). As a result, the gene expression of FGFR۲ was greater in the ECM than control group (p < ۰.۰۵). Nevertheless, FGFR۱ expression did not change during culture in the control and ECM groups (p > ۰.۰۵). In conclusion, the present study revealed the potential role of FGFR۲ in differentiation of SSCs during culture on ECM.

Keywords:

Bovine , Differentiation , Fibroblast growth factor receptors , Spermatogonial stem cells