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Review
. 2023 Dec 21;14(1):17.
doi: 10.3390/life14010017.

Bridging the Gap: Animal Models in Next-Generation Reproductive Technologies for Male Fertility Preservation

Pedro M Aponte  1   2 , Miguel A Gutierrez-Reinoso  3   4 , Manuel Garcia-Herreros  5
Affiliations
Review

Bridging the Gap: Animal Models in Next-Generation Reproductive Technologies for Male Fertility Preservation

Pedro M Aponte et al. Life (Basel). .

Abstract

This review aims to explore advanced reproductive technologies for male fertility preservation, underscoring the essential role that animal models have played in shaping these techniques through historical contexts and into modern applications. Rising infertility concerns have become more prevalent in human populations recently. The surge in male fertility issues has prompted advanced reproductive technologies, with animal models playing a pivotal role in their evolution. Historically, animal models have aided our understanding in the field, from early reproductive basic research to developing techniques like artificial insemination, multiple ovulation, and in vitro fertilization. The contemporary landscape of male fertility preservation encompasses techniques such as sperm cryopreservation, testicular sperm extraction, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection, among others. The relevance of animal models will undoubtedly bridge the gap between traditional methods and revolutionary next-generation reproductive techniques, fortifying our collective efforts in enhancing male fertility preservation strategies. While we possess extensive knowledge about spermatogenesis and its regulation, largely thanks to insights from animal models that paved the way for human infertility treatments, a pressing need remains to further understand specific infertility issues unique to humans. The primary aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of how animal models have influenced the development and refinement of advanced reproductive technologies for male fertility preservation, and to assess their future potential in bridging the gap between current practices and cutting-edge fertility techniques, particularly in addressing unique human male factor infertility.

Keywords: animal models; cryopreservation; germ cell culture; in vitro spermatogenesis; male infertility; reproductive technologies; spermatogenesis; spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs); testicular tissue culture; transplantation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Evolution of Reproductive Technologies: A Historical Perspective. This figure illustrates the progression of four generations of reproductive biotechnologies, each building upon the foundations of the previous.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Overview of Technologies Derived from Animal Models for Human Male Fertility Treatment. This diagram illustrates key technological advancements, including AI, IVF, embryo transfer, transgenic/GM animal disease models, cloning, ICSI/microinsemination, artificial gametes, SSC technologies and transplantation, in vitro spermatogenesis, and genome editing, highlighting their potential applications and origins in animal research.
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Grants and funding

The authors received financial support from Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID); Programa de Becas/Doctorado Nacional/Government of Chile: 2020-21201280, National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research (INIAV, Portugal)/Ministerio de Economia y Finanzas/Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC)/Proyectos Generativos/Government of Ecuador: DIRGI-CP2022-005 and COCIBA Funds, Project 12249. Use of stem cells in animal science and regenerative therapies.

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