Molecular regulation of spermatogenesis: Insights from spatial transcriptomics.

Spermatogenesis is a highly complex process that includes the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonia, the meiosis of spermatocytes and spermiogenesis. Testicular somatic cells provide a stable microenvironment for the proper division and differentiation of spermatogenic cells. The extensive application of single-cell transcriptomics has significantly advanced our understanding of the heterogeneity and dynamics of gene expression in germ cells and various types of testicular somatic cells. Recently, spatial transcriptomic technologies have been used to dissect gene expression patterns throughout the testicular space, offering new insights into cellular organization and interactions within different spermatogenic cell populations and somatic cell compartments. This review focuses on the key regulatory factors involved in the development from primordial germ cells (PGCs) to spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), the interactions between somatic cells and germ cells, and the application of spatial transcriptomic technology in stem cell research.