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World J Stem Cells. Mar 26, 2026; 18(3): 118401
Published online Mar 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v18.i3.118401
Published online Mar 26, 2026. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v18.i3.118401
Single-cell transcriptomics reveals a spermatogonial stem cell-centered spermatogenic microenvironment: Pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic targets in male infertility
Zhi-Kang Ying, Jia-Wei Hu, Department of Andrology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Graduate Ningbo Joint Training Base, Ningbo 315010, Zhejiang Province, China
Zhi-Kang Ying, Jia-Wei Hu, Yun Cui, Department of Andrology, Ningbo Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Ningbo 315010, Zhejiang Province, China
Xin-Yu Xu, Department of Urology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China
Da-Wei Jiang, Department of Andrology, Jiaxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Jiaxing 314001, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: Jiang DW conceptualized and designed the study; Ying ZK developed the methodology and drafted the manuscript; Xu XY and Hu JW conducted the literature search; Cui Y created the figures and tables. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript. Jiaxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University serves as the primary affiliation for this article.
Supported by Jiaxing Municipal Health Science and Technology Plan Key Project, No. JWKD-25010; and the Special Scientific Research Project of the Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 2024FSYYZQ17.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Da-Wei Jiang, PhD, Department of Andrology, Jiaxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 1501 Zhongshan East Road, Nanhu District, Jiaxing 314001, Zhejiang Province, China.
Received: December 31, 2025
Revised: January 22, 2026
Accepted: March 9, 2026
Published online: March 26, 2026
Processing time: 84 Days and 15.7 Hours
Revised: January 22, 2026
Accepted: March 9, 2026
Published online: March 26, 2026
Processing time: 84 Days and 15.7 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This review integrates single-cell transcriptomics data from 2018 to 2025 to reconstruct the pathological landscape of male infertility, identifying the spermatogonial stem cell niche as a core therapeutic target. We elucidate a novel me