Abstract
Decellularized scaffolds have been found to be excellent platforms for tissue engineering applications. The attempts are still being made to optimize a decellularization protocol with successful removal of the cells with minimal damages to extracellular matrix components. We examined twelve decellularization procedures using different concentrations of Sodium dodecyl sulfate and Triton X-100 (alone or in combination), and incubation time points of 15 or 30 min. Then, the potential of the decellularized scaffold as a three-dimensional substrate for colony formation capacity of mouse spermatogonial stem cells was determined. The morphological, degradation, biocompatibility, and swelling properties of the samples were fully characterized. The 0.5%/30 SDS/Triton showed optimal decellularization with minimal negative effects on ECM (P ≤ 0.05). The swelling ratios increased with the increase of SDS and Triton concentration and incubation time. Only 0.5%/15 and 30 SDS showed a significant decrease in the SSCs viability compared with other groups (P < 0.05). The SSCs colony formation was clearly observed under SEM and H&E stained slides. The cells infiltrated into the subcutaneously implanted scaffold at days 7 and 30 post-implantation with no sign of graft rejection. Our data suggest the %0.5/30 SDS/Triton as an excellent platform for tissue engineering and reproductive biology applications.