Reproduction Abstracts

Introduction: Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) is essential for the development and function of steroidogenic tissues. Stable incorporation of SF-1 into embryonic stem cells has been reported to prime the cells for steroidogenesis.

Materials and methods: In this study, we established SF1 transgenic mouse embryonic stem cell (SF1-mES cells) and analyzed expression of steroidogenesis-related genes and gonadal lineage-markers. We measured the secreted progesterone in the cell medium because progesterone is the first metabolite of sex steroid hormone. As well as, we differentiated mES cells into functional granulosa-like cells or Sertoli-like cells using various culture condition including growth factors or hormones. To test the phenotype for granulosa-like cell, we confirmed transcripts of specific forkhead transcription factor FOXL2 and the FSH receptor (FSHR). In the other hand, we monitored some specific genes related with differentiation into testicular tissue.

Results and discussion: We observed the progress to primitive streak–mesendoderm by gene expression analyses. In addition, we observed that differentiated SF1-mES cells expressing the steroidogenic enzymes, such as 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450-containing enzyme (CYP)-11A1, and CYP19A1. Using the advanced approach, we explored culture conditions that optimize SF-1-mediated differentiation of ES cells into defined steroidogenic and gonadal lineages. We induced functional granulosa-like cells or Sertoli-like cells. We established the effective protocol to generate functional ovarian or testicular cells. The derivation of these cells explores new avenues for the further study and potential application of these cells in steroidogenesis.