Methods for spermatogonial stem cell (ssc) transfer

Abstract

The present invention provides highly advantageous and efficient methods for spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transfer for the generation of animals having valuable traits or genetic background.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for effecting spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transfer, wherein the method comprises:
 providing spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from a male donor animal; and   introducing the donor SSCs into a reproductive organ of a sterile, hybrid male recipient animal, whereby the sterile, hybrid male recipient produces donor-derived, fertilization-competent, haploid male gametes.   
     
     
         2 . The method, according to  claim 1 , further comprising collecting the donor-derived, fertilization-competent, haploid male gametes produced by the sterile, hybrid male recipient. 
     
     
         3 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the donor animal is selected from Equidae, Bovidae, Canidae, Felidae, and Suidae. 
     
     
         4 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one parentage of the hybrid recipient animal is from the same genus as the donor animal. 
     
     
         5 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the male reproductive organ is testis. 
     
     
         6 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the male gametes produced by the recipient are sperm. 
     
     
         7 . A method for effecting spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transfer, wherein the method comprises:
 providing spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from a male donor animal; and   introducing the donor SSCs into a reproductive organ of a genetically-modified male recipient animal whereby the recipient produces donor-derived, fertilization-competent, haploid male gametes, wherein the recipient animal is genetically modified such that the native male gametes produced by the recipient animal express at least one detectable biomarker label.   
     
     
         8 . The method, according to  claim 7 , further comprising distinguishing the native male gametes produced by the recipient animal from the donor-derived male gametes produced by the recipient animal based on the detectable biomarker label. 
     
     
         9 . The method, according to  claim 7 , further comprising collecting donor-derived, fertilization-competent, haploid male gametes produced by the recipient animal. 
     
     
         10 . The method, according to  claim 7 , wherein the donor animal is selected from Equidae, Bovidae, Canidae, Felidae, and Suidae. 
     
     
         11 . The method, according to  claim 7 , wherein at least one parentage of the hybrid recipient animal is from the same genus as the donor animal. 
     
     
         12 . The method, according to  claim 7 , wherein the male reproductive organ is testis. 
     
     
         13 . The method, according to  claim 7 , wherein the male gametes produced by the recipient are sperm. 
     
     
         14 . A method for effecting spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transfer, wherein the method comprises:
 providing spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from a male donor animal;   introducing the donor SSCs into a reproductive organ of a genetically-modified, sterile male recipient animal, whereby the sterile male recipient produces donor-derived, fertilization-competent, haploid male gametes, and wherein the sterile male recipient animal is genetically modified such that it has an intact spermatogenic compartment but cannot perform spermatogenesis.   
     
     
         15 . The method, according to  claim 14 , further comprising collecting the donor-derived, fertilization-competent, haploid male gametes produced by the sterile male recipient. 
     
     
         16 . The method, according to  claim 14 , wherein the recipient animal contains a deletion or an inactivating mutation in a gene selected from Deleted-in-Azoospermia like (DAZL); protamine genes associated with DNA packaging in the sperm nucleus; genes in the azoospermia factor (AZF) region of the Y chromosome; and genes associated with male meiosis. 
     
     
         17 . The method, according to  claim 14 , wherein the donor animal is selected from Equidae, Bovidae, Canidae, Felidae, and Suidae. 
     
     
         18 . The method, according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one parentage of the hybrid recipient animal is from the same genus as the donor animal. 
     
     
         19 . The method, according to  claim 14 , wherein the male reproductive organ is testis. 
     
     
         20 . The method, according to  claim 14 , wherein the male gametes produced by the recipient are sperm.