The Brussels 3D model of the testicle provides insight into fertility problems

In half of couples who fail to conceive, decreased male fertility and decreased quality of sperm cells play a role. But research into the various causes of low sperm quality is hampered by a lack of complete knowledge of male reproductive biology.

To address this problem, Guillaume Richer of the research group developed a method Testicular biology At Vrije Universiteit Brussel for his doctoral studies, he created a 3D model of the testicle. It fits with the research group’s broader goal of better understanding how the testicle is built.

Rich made molds of alginate and agarose, a sticky, spongy substance made from algae, respectively, and inserted primary testicular cells — precursors of testicular cells — from mice into them. Cells taken from rat testicles appeared to organize themselves into tube-like structures with a specific density and under the influence of certain growth factors, so that sperm cells were produced in the functioning testicle. “In the model, the cells were able to restore the structure of the testicle on their own,” says Reicher.

In a series of experiments, Richer succeeded in allowing germ cells to survive for a long time and eventually in most cases to produce sperm (precursors of sperm cells). According to Richer, these are important results, because the model can also be used for other applications. It therefore provides the opportunity to test for potentially harmful substances. “The effects of so-called hormone disruptors, such as PFAS, on the development of testicular and sperm production, for example, can be better studied using the model,” he says.

According to Richer, a scale model of the testicle could contribute to a better understanding of male infertility. “If we succeed in replicating the results using human material, we could use the sperm cells created in the model for artificial reproduction,” he says.