<p id="P3">Spermatogenesis is a complex and dynamic cellular differentiation process
critical to male reproduction and sustained by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs).
Although patterns of gene expression have been described for aggregates of
certain spermato- genic cell types, the full continuum of gene expression
patterns underlying ongoing spermatogenesis in steady state was previously
unclear. Here, we catalog single-cell transcriptomes for >62,000
individual spermatogenic cells from immature (postnatal day 6) and adult male
mice and adult men. This allowed us to resolve SSC and progenitor spermatogonia,
elucidate the full range of gene expression changes during male meiosis and
spermiogenesis, and derive unique gene expression signatures for multiple mouse
and human spermatogenic cell types and/or subtypes. These transcriptome datasets
provide an information-rich resource for studies of SSCs, male meiosis,
testicular cancer, male infertility, or contraceptive development, as well as a
gene expression roadmap to be emulated in efforts to achieve spermatogenesis
<i>in vitro</i>.
</p><p id="P4">Hermann et al. present single-cell transcriptomes from >62,000
individual spermatogenic cells from immature and adult male mice and adult men.
Their analysis facilitates resolution of SSCs and progenitor spermatogonia,
elucidates the full range of gene expression changes during male meiosis and
spermiogenesis, and derives unique gene expression signatures for eleven mouse
and human spermatogenic cell types.
</p><p id="P5">
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