Testis-Organ-On-A-Chip Model Development Service
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Background Testis-on-a-chip Applications Published Data Why Choose Us? FAQs Products
Creative Biolabs' Testis-On-A-Chip Model Development Service provides clients with customized, advanced in vitro platforms designed to accurately replicate the testicular microenvironment. This enables more physiologically relevant studies of testicular function, disease, and toxicity.
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Background
The male reproductive system comprises anatomically distinct components: testes, epididymides, ductus deferentes, accessory urethral glands (ampullary, seminal vesicular, prostatic, and bulbourethral), and the penis. Testes exist as paired gonads occupying an extragonadal position within the scrotal sac. As the definitive male gonad in bilaterian species including humans, testes maintain developmental homology with female ovaries. Their principal physiological roles encompass gametogenic function (spermatozoa production) and androgenesis (predominantly testosterone secretion). Testosterone release undergoes regulation by pituitary-derived luteinizing hormone (LH), while spermatogenesis requires synergistic action of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the adenohypophysis and intragonadal testosterone.
Fig 1. Anatomical description of testicular and epididymal structures.1,3
The testicular surface is enveloped by the tunica albuginea, a 1-2 mm thick layer of dense collagenous matrix incorporating superficial vascular architecture (testicular artery and vein) exhibiting species-specific angioarchitecture. Musculo-fascial layers include the thermoregulatory dartos fascia immediately investing the testis and the suspensory cremaster muscle. These structures collectively mediate gonadal thermoregulation through active displacement toward or from the inguinal-abdominal region.
Testis-on-a-chip
Testis-on-a-chip platforms present innovative approaches for modeling and functional assessment of testicular physiology ex vivo. These systems enable integration of microfluidic architectures into therapeutic strategies for preserving fertility in prepubertal males and addressing spermatogenic arrest in adult. Additionally, they establish physiomimetic environments to advance pharmacotoxicological screening methodologies.
Applications
This technology enables diverse applications:
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Male Reproductive Toxicity Testing: Evaluating the effects of drugs, environmental toxins, and other compounds on spermatogenesis and testicular function.
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Disease Modeling: Studying the pathogenesis of male infertility, testicular cancer, and other reproductive disorders.
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Drug Discovery: Identifying and screening potential therapeutic targets and drug candidates for male reproductive diseases.
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Basic Research: Investigating the fundamental mechanisms of spermatogenesis, hormone regulation, and cell-cell communication in the testis.
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Personalized Medicine: Developing patient-specific models of testicular function to guide treatment decisions.
Published Data
An innovative microfluidic testicular platform demonstrating bidirectional Sertoli-Leydig cellular signaling.
The endocrine crosstalk between Sertoli and Leydig cells critically sustains spermatogenic processes, germ cell maturation, and testicular homeostasis. Conventional 2D cultures and contemporary 3D platforms fail to recapitulate the dynamic paracrine signaling within this cellular axis. Furthermore, existing in vitro testicular models inadequately represent the organ's intricate multicellular architecture. Addressing these constraints, investigators engineered a 3D testis-on-chip system incorporating diverse human testicular cell populations within natural biopolymer matrices infused with coagulation factors, effectively modeling Sertoli-Leydig cellular interactions. Through integration of fluorescent biosensors into both cell types within this multicellular platform, a functional testicular microdevice was established for assessing pharmaceutical candidates' male reproductive toxicity. This transformative paradigm promises enhanced toxicological screening and andrological research advancement.
Fig 2. Development of human testis-on-a-chip.2,3
The testis-on-chip platform faithfully replicates the multicellular architecture of seminiferous tubule constituents and their bidirectional endocrine signaling. Interconnected Sertoli and interstitial cell compartments are linked via endothelialized microvascular conduits, facilitating reciprocal endocrine crosstalk through paracrine exchange of steroidogenic/exocrine factors. Furthermore, these dual chambers and connecting microvasculature are enveloped by prototypical testicular macrophages, precisely modeling immune cell interactions within the seminiferous microenvironment.
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Why Choose Us?
Creative Biolabs distinguishes itself through its commitment to scientific excellence, technological innovation, and client-centric solutions. We offer several key advantages:
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Customization: Creative Biolabs specializes in developing highly customized Testis-On-A-Chip models tailored to the unique research needs of each client.
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Expertise: Our team comprises experts in microfluidics, cell biology, and reproductive biology, ensuring the highest quality and scientific rigor.
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Advanced Technology: We utilize cutting-edge microfabrication techniques and advanced cell culture methods to create physiologically relevant 3D models.
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Comprehensive Support: Creative Biolabs provides end-to-end support, from initial consultation and design to model validation and data analysis.
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Reproducibility and Reliability: Our models are designed for high reproducibility, ensuring the reliability of your research data.
FAQs
Q: How does Creative Biolabs' Testis-On-A-Chip model compare to traditional 2D cell cultures?
A: Our 3D models offer a more physiologically relevant environment, better mimicking the complex cell-cell interactions and microarchitecture of the testis. This leads to more accurate and predictive results compared to traditional 2D cultures.
Q: Can Creative Biolabs customize the Testis-On-A-Chip model for my specific research application?
A: Yes, we specialize in developing highly customized solutions. We work closely with our clients to tailor the chip design, cell culture conditions, and experimental protocols to meet their unique research requirements.
Q: What cell types can be incorporated into Creative Biolabs' Testis-On-A-Chip model?
A: We can incorporate a variety of testicular cell types, including Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, peritubular myoid cells, and germ cells. We can also work with specific cell lines or primary cells, depending on your research needs.
Q: What kind of data can be generated using Creative Biolabs' Testis-On-A-Chip model?
A: Our models can generate a wide range of data, including cell viability, hormone secretion levels, gene expression profiles, protein expression, and responses to various stimuli or toxins. The specific data generated will depend on the experimental design.
Q: What are the advantages of using a Testis-On-A-Chip model for drug discovery?
A: Our models offer several advantages for drug discovery, including increased throughput, improved accuracy in predicting in vivo responses, and reduced animal testing. This expedites promising drug candidate identification while streamlining development expenses.
Recommended Products
Our chips offer the freedom to choose the cell seeding channels and perfusion conditions, enabling various cell culture modes.
For researchers facing challenges in initiating microfluidic cellular investigations de novo, Creative Biolabs' engineered cell-culture systems deliver integrated solutions that streamline workflow bottlenecks.
For more information about Creative Biolabs products and services, please contact us.
References
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Horvath-Pereira, Bianca de Oliveira, et al. "Biomaterials for Testicular Bioengineering: How far have we come and where do we have to go?." Frontiers in Endocrinology 14 (2023): 1085872. DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1085872
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Park, Se-Ra, et al. "Development of a novel testis-on-a-chip that demonstrates reciprocal crosstalk between Sertoli and Leydig cells in testicular tissue." Experimental & Molecular Medicine 56.7 (2024): 1591-1605. DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01258-3
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Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.
For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.
