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Lifelong cell–cell interactions in the testis: A driver for male fertility. Summary of the XXVth North American Testis Workshop

Year: 2020
Type: editorial
Abstract: I am pleased to introduce this thematic issue of Andrology, which represents the proceedings of The XXVth Workshop, entitled “Lifelong Cell-Cell Interactions in the Testis: A Driver for Male Fertility” held on April 3-6, 2019, at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Understanding the cellular, biochemical, and molecular processes in the testis that underpin male fertility will contribute to the early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of infertility as well as to the development of a reversible male contraceptive. Since 1972, the North American Testis Workshop has been the premiere international forum for basic and clinician-scientists to present and discuss basic and clinical studies of the normal and pathological, fertile, and infertile testis. The XXVth Workshop continued the well-established tradition of providing an international forum for the presentation and discussion of current results by leaders in the field, and for fostering the inclusion and career development of young scientists including women and underrepresented minorities. Male factors are associated with 40-50% of all infertility. Causative factors of male infertility are generally classified into endocrine, spermatogenesis, sperm antibodies, sperm transport, and disorders of intercourse categories. Testis function disorders are at the origin of most cases of male infertility. Maintaining spermatogenesis and androgen production is critical for fertility and the well-being of individuals throughout the lifecycle. Indeed, several issues are posing significant public health concerns for the United States and throughout the world. These include the high incidence of male infertility, the obesity epidemic, the detrimental effects of exposures to viruses and man-made chemicals, the age-related decline of androgen formation, the increasing uses of assisted reproductive technologies, testosterone treatment, and the lack of a reversible male contraceptive. Solutions to these problems require a thorough understanding of the cellular, biochemical, and molecular processes that control testis function and support male fertility and men’s health. Reaching this understanding requires the exchange of knowledge and collaboration among experts in testis biology who approach the study of this organ with different scientific goals and expertise. Based on these principles, the Program included four major lectures (the keynote address and three benchmark lectures), and fifteen invited talks grouped into five sessions. These were cell-cell interactions in testis formation, germ cell differentiation in response to local and endocrine factors, somatic cell function in response to local factors, testicular function in response to man-made chemicals, and pathogen effects on testis function. Young investigators (trainees and Assistant Professors in rank for no more than two years) were invited to present two short talks, selected from the submitted abstracts, at the end of each session. Two poster sessions, with all 65 posters displayed throughout the meeting, were also in place. The goal of the Workshop extended well beyond the dissemination of scientific information. The Program Committee carefully designed the Program to bring people of various scientific fields and backgrounds together with “traditional” reproductive biologists. For example, Dr. Kobinger works on the treatment of Ebola; Dr. Verma works on RNA virus/host interactions and innate immunity; Dr. Tanentzapf uses molecular biology, genetics, and cutting edge imaging technologies to address fundamental biological questions using Drosophila as a model organism; and Dr. Pilsner is an expert on epigenetics working on the impact of environmental exposure on human sperm epigenetics. The meeting also brought together scientists who work on how cell-cell interactions among various testicular cell types affect testis early development and function later in life. These included Drs. Dobrinski, Stukenborg, Capel, Goossens, Griswold, Sasaki, Mayerhoffer, and DeFalco. Drs. Oatley and Mayerhoffer addressed molecules that affect germ cell development and fertility. There were also presentations on species differences in the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying testis function, including Dr. Dobrinski on pig organoid formation, Drs. Sasaki and Goossens on human testis organization, and Dr. Tanenetzapf on the regulation of Drosophila testis function. Dr. Librach reported on his clinical efforts to use stem cells for fertility preservation. It was evident from the various talks that there is an intense ongoing effort to replicate spermatogenesis in vitro using both pluripotent stem cells and primary cells in three-dimensional (3D) organoids. An expert on the mechanisms of gonad-specific antigens and autoimmunity, Dr. Tung opened the meeting with the plenary lecture on antigens and the blood-testis barrier. The impact of foreign bodies, such antigens and viruses, on testicular function was explored in the last session of the meeting when Drs. Kobinger and Verma presented their fundamental and clinical studies on testis infection, and Dr. Hedger presented his work on the testis' immune system. Considering that testis function and homeostasis are controlled by neighboring cells and endogenous and exogenous factors, the role of the environment was addressed in talks from Drs. Bookelheide, Hales, Culty, and Pilsner. These speakers presented their work on the impact of single environmental chemicals and of mixtures of such compounds on animal and human reproduction, as assessed by biochemical, molecular, and epidemiologic approaches. A PDF file of the Program and abstracts may be found at: https://www.andrologysociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Testis-Workshop-2019-Program-Book-4-4-19.pdf The Program Committee members and I are pleased to see that most of the speakers (70%) contributed to this thematic issue by reporting on the work that they presented at the meeting, either as a review or original manuscript. I should note that all papers were peer-reviewed, and I am grateful to the authors and reviewers for their efforts to comply with the guidelines and timelines. I want to thank the Program Committee members who solicited ideas for topics and appropriate speakers. These are Wei Yan (Vice-Chair), Ina Dobrinsky, Jannette Dufour, Kwanhee Kim, Kate Loveland, Ralph Meyer, Robert Viger, and Jeremy Wang. Moreover, I am grateful to Leslie Heckert, Chair of the XXIVth North American Testis Workshop, for sharing her experience and advice during the meeting. Also, I would like to thank the various committees and people who provided time and effort to the design, development, organization, and funding of the Workshop. These include the Abstract Review and Executive Committees. I am grateful to the following organizations that provided essential financial support for the meeting: the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, the Male Contraception Initiative, the Society for the Study of Reproduction, and IASO BioMed Inc. I would also like to thank Ms. Donna Rostamian and her team at WJ Weiser & Associates for management and taking care of all the details needed to make this meeting feasible, including a sold-out social event. I am looking forward to the XXVIth North American Testis Workshop, which will be held on April 21-24, 2021, at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel in San Diego, CA. For more details, please contact Dr. Wei Yan, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Email: [email protected]).
Source: Andrology
DOI: 10.1111/andr.12833
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3031970665
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