Testicular extracellular matrix/gelatin-based scaffold using gas foaming to support spermatogonial stem cells
Objective(s): Developing a bioactive testicular scaffold has been proposed as a potential option to preserve male fertility. Using the gas foaming method, this study aimed to fabricate an effective and highly porous scaffold derived from a gelatin-testicular extracellular matrix. Materials and Metho...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ijbms.mums.ac.ir/article_26062_0c88602dacc232ff4f8a1d46a8da1f5b.pdf |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1839613302246735872 |
|---|---|
| author | Maryam Momeni Mohammad Kazemi Ashtiani Zahra Bashiri Zohreh Bagher Hamid Reza Asgari Morteza Koruji |
| author_facet | Maryam Momeni Mohammad Kazemi Ashtiani Zahra Bashiri Zohreh Bagher Hamid Reza Asgari Morteza Koruji |
| author_sort | Maryam Momeni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective(s): Developing a bioactive testicular scaffold has been proposed as a potential option to preserve male fertility. Using the gas foaming method, this study aimed to fabricate an effective and highly porous scaffold derived from a gelatin-testicular extracellular matrix. Materials and Methods: Male ram testis decellularization was performed using a combination of NaCl buffer and Triton. Then, evaluations were done for 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and quantitative DNA content. Masson’s trichrome, Alcian blue, and orcein staining were conducted to ensure the maintenance of ECM components post-decellularization. Porous scaffolds were fabricated using gelatin incorporation with various concentrations of extracted ECM via the gas foaming method. The mechanical and structural characteristics of the scaffolds, along with evaluations of cell spreading and penetration depth, were performed. Furthermore, scaffolds were used to culture mouse spermatogonial stem cells to investigate the morphology, viability, and adhesion of the cells on the scaffolds.Results: Our results showed successful decellularization of testicular tissue, resulting in significant removal of DNA content while preserving ECM major components. The hybrid scaffolds exhibited uniform porous microstructures with a pore size average ranging from 298-330 μm. There were no significant differences in biodegradation and swelling ratios between the scaffolds. The cell penetration index significantly increased in gel-ECM by 5% compared to other groups. Also, ECM5% led to increased cell attachment and viability, proper compressive strength, and a decrease in Young’s module. Conclusion: Our study suggests that using a combination of testicular ECM and gelatin shows promise in constructing bioartificial testes through the gas-foaming method. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6a6f22b8b6c7490c9904bc7b439e09b6 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2008-3866 2008-3874 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Mashhad University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-6a6f22b8b6c7490c9904bc7b439e09b62025-07-27T09:52:45ZengMashhad University of Medical SciencesIranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences2008-38662008-38742025-08-012881107111810.22038/ijbms.2025.83885.1815026062Testicular extracellular matrix/gelatin-based scaffold using gas foaming to support spermatogonial stem cellsMaryam Momeni0Mohammad Kazemi Ashtiani1Zahra Bashiri2Zohreh Bagher3Hamid Reza Asgari4Morteza Koruji5Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Cell Engineering, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, IranEndometrium and Endometriosis Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, IranENT and Head and Neck Research Center and Department, The Five Senses Health Institute, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranStem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranObjective(s): Developing a bioactive testicular scaffold has been proposed as a potential option to preserve male fertility. Using the gas foaming method, this study aimed to fabricate an effective and highly porous scaffold derived from a gelatin-testicular extracellular matrix. Materials and Methods: Male ram testis decellularization was performed using a combination of NaCl buffer and Triton. Then, evaluations were done for 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and quantitative DNA content. Masson’s trichrome, Alcian blue, and orcein staining were conducted to ensure the maintenance of ECM components post-decellularization. Porous scaffolds were fabricated using gelatin incorporation with various concentrations of extracted ECM via the gas foaming method. The mechanical and structural characteristics of the scaffolds, along with evaluations of cell spreading and penetration depth, were performed. Furthermore, scaffolds were used to culture mouse spermatogonial stem cells to investigate the morphology, viability, and adhesion of the cells on the scaffolds.Results: Our results showed successful decellularization of testicular tissue, resulting in significant removal of DNA content while preserving ECM major components. The hybrid scaffolds exhibited uniform porous microstructures with a pore size average ranging from 298-330 μm. There were no significant differences in biodegradation and swelling ratios between the scaffolds. The cell penetration index significantly increased in gel-ECM by 5% compared to other groups. Also, ECM5% led to increased cell attachment and viability, proper compressive strength, and a decrease in Young’s module. Conclusion: Our study suggests that using a combination of testicular ECM and gelatin shows promise in constructing bioartificial testes through the gas-foaming method.https://ijbms.mums.ac.ir/article_26062_0c88602dacc232ff4f8a1d46a8da1f5b.pdfgas foamingpore sizescaffoldspermatogonial stem celltesticular extracellular- matrix |
| spellingShingle | Maryam Momeni Mohammad Kazemi Ashtiani Zahra Bashiri Zohreh Bagher Hamid Reza Asgari Morteza Koruji Testicular extracellular matrix/gelatin-based scaffold using gas foaming to support spermatogonial stem cells Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences gas foaming pore size scaffold spermatogonial stem cell testicular extracellular- matrix |
| title | Testicular extracellular matrix/gelatin-based scaffold using gas foaming to support spermatogonial stem cells |
| title_full | Testicular extracellular matrix/gelatin-based scaffold using gas foaming to support spermatogonial stem cells |
| title_fullStr | Testicular extracellular matrix/gelatin-based scaffold using gas foaming to support spermatogonial stem cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | Testicular extracellular matrix/gelatin-based scaffold using gas foaming to support spermatogonial stem cells |
| title_short | Testicular extracellular matrix/gelatin-based scaffold using gas foaming to support spermatogonial stem cells |
| title_sort | testicular extracellular matrix gelatin based scaffold using gas foaming to support spermatogonial stem cells |
| topic | gas foaming pore size scaffold spermatogonial stem cell testicular extracellular- matrix |
| url | https://ijbms.mums.ac.ir/article_26062_0c88602dacc232ff4f8a1d46a8da1f5b.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT maryammomeni testicularextracellularmatrixgelatinbasedscaffoldusinggasfoamingtosupportspermatogonialstemcells AT mohammadkazemiashtiani testicularextracellularmatrixgelatinbasedscaffoldusinggasfoamingtosupportspermatogonialstemcells AT zahrabashiri testicularextracellularmatrixgelatinbasedscaffoldusinggasfoamingtosupportspermatogonialstemcells AT zohrehbagher testicularextracellularmatrixgelatinbasedscaffoldusinggasfoamingtosupportspermatogonialstemcells AT hamidrezaasgari testicularextracellularmatrixgelatinbasedscaffoldusinggasfoamingtosupportspermatogonialstemcells AT mortezakoruji testicularextracellularmatrixgelatinbasedscaffoldusinggasfoamingtosupportspermatogonialstemcells |