Spermatogenesis as a model system for developmental analysis of regulatory mechanisms associated with tissue-specific gene expression

Spermatogenesis is a complex system leading to the formation of male gametes. Development of the spermatogenic cell lineage occurs throughout most of the pre- and post-natal lifetime of male mammals, and involves progression through a well-characterized series of stages and cell types. This progression is based on programmed gene expression. The mechanisms by which this tissue-, cell-type, and developmental-stage specific gene expression is regulated form the focus of an active area of investigation. In this review, I will summarize our efforts to elucidate these mechanisms through molecular analyses of the uniquely accessible mouse spermatogenic cell lineage.