Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2015.
World J Stem Cells. May 26, 2015; 7(4): 669-680
Published online May 26, 2015. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v7.i4.669
Table 1 Summary comparison of characteristics of embryonic stem cells and spermatogonial stem cells in the context of transgenesis tecniques
TraitEmbryonic stem cellsSSCs
Mutagenesis technical statusAvailable for mice. Many genes mutatedExperimental level in mouse[75], rats[78], goats[81], pigs[82]
SourceEmbryoAdult testis
Age of derivationEmbryonic periodPostnatal period
Ethical/legal concernsYesNo
Efficiency5 × to 10 × higher than with ES cells
Cell differentiation stateUndifferentiated - pluripotentialDifferentiated up to germ-line
TumorogenesisProduce teratomasDo not produce teratomas
Chimera formation(+)(-)
Germline gene transmissionDo not transmit genes from one generation to the nextTransmit genes from one generation to the next
In vitro phenotypeColonies with tightly attached cellsGS cells loosely attached (easily dissociated with trypsin)[2]
Speed of growthFasterSlower
Requires other non-transfected SSCs during cultureNoYes2
KaryotypeVariable - unstable1Normal - stable
EpigeneticsVariable - unstable DNA methylation patternNormal - stable DNA methylation pattern
OffspringAbnormalNormal