Advantages
- Rapid In Vitro Screening via Isolated Primary Spermatogenic Cells: Enabling high-throughput cytotoxicity and sensitivity assays for environmental hormones and chemicals in a short period.
- Precise Quantitative Evaluation: Accurate quantification of subtle changes in spermatogenic cell count through superior tissue-penetrating bioluminescent signal measurement.
- Efficiency Enhancement & Contribution to 3Rs: Shortening evaluation timelines, reducing animal use (Reduction), and minimizing housing/management costs.
Current Stage and Key Data
In vivo and in vitro evaluation systems fully established with Proof of Concept validated.
- Exceptionally High Correlation with Spermatogenic Cell Count: Demonstrated a strong positive correlation between primary spermatogenic cell numbers and bioluminescence intensity.
- Validation of Environmental Hormone Evaluation (In Vitro): Detected time- and concentration-dependent decreases in cell viability caused by Bisphenol A (BPA), a key endocrine disruptor.
- Quantification of Chemical Toxicity & Recovery Kinetics: Quantified spermatogenesis damage and recovery induced by chemicals (e.g., Trichostatin A) and physical stressors.
Partnaring Model
Joint development of contract testing services for environmental hormones/chemical screening, provision of model mice and cells for evaluation (via MTAs and licenses)
- Early-stage safety screening of chemical products, suspected endocrine disruptors, pesticides, food additives, and cosmetic ingredients
- Quantitative evaluation of reproductive suppression efficacy in developing vertebrate pest control products (e.g., fertility control agents, rodenticides)
Background and Technology
Evaluating the safety of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in industrial materials, agrochemicals, and food additives is crucial for public health and regulatory compliance. However, conventional reproductive toxicity testing relies heavily on animal mating, pregnancy checks, and euthanasia for histopathology. This demands lengthy timelines, extensive labor, high costs, and large numbers of sacrificed animals, posing a major hurdle to advancing the 3Rs principles. By leveraging a highly quantitative bioluminescent mouse model (Acr-Luc KI) and its primary cell assay, this technology bridges rapid in vitro screening and continuous in vivo imaging. It delivers an innovative platform that accelerates safety evaluation and reduces costs for chemical and environmental industries.
Principal Investigator
Hisanori Fukunaga (Graduate School of Health Science, Hokkaido University)
Patents and Publications
- Patent pending
- Information on related literature is included in the materials. Please click the “Iinterested in this technology? [Download Materials]” button below to download and view the materials.