Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 1, 2026

Isolation and Derivation of Mouse Embryonic Germinal Cells
14:01

Isolation and Derivation of Mouse Embryonic Germinal Cells

Published on: October 22, 2009

Ectopic colonization of primordial germ cells in the chick embryo lacking the gonads

M Nakamura1, T Kuwana, Y Miyayama

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Kumamoto University Medical School, Japan.

The Anatomical Record
|January 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

When chick embryos lack gonads, primordial germ cells (PGCs) abnormally accumulate in the head region. These PGCs migrate from blood vessels into the surrounding head mesenchyme.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Embryology

Background:

  • Primordial germ cells (PGCs) originate in the extraembryonic region of chick embryos.
  • PGCs normally circulate via the blood vascular system before migrating to the gonadal anlagen.
  • The migratory pathways and potential ectopic distribution of PGCs are of significant interest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distribution patterns of chick PGCs when the developing gonadal region is surgically removed.
  • To determine the extent and location of ectopic PGCs in chick embryos lacking gonads.

Main Methods:

  • Chick embryos at stage 10 had their caudal third region excised.
  • Embryos were incubated until stages 14 to 20 to observe PGC distribution.
  • PGCs were identified and their locations documented within the embryo.

Main Results:

  • At stage 14, PGCs were primarily in yolk sac capillaries (80%), with some in the head near the neural tube.
  • From stage 18 onwards, approximately 90% of PGCs accumulated ectopically in the head region.
  • Ectopic PGCs were observed within head capillaries, sometimes forming thrombi, and migrating into the mesenchyme.

Conclusions:

  • Absence of gonads in chick embryos leads to significant PGC accumulation in the head.
  • PGCs can migrate from the circulatory system into the head's mesenchymal tissue when gonadal targets are absent.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Embryonic Tissues and Formation of Quail-Chicken Chimeric Organs Using The Thymus Example14:23

Isolation of Embryonic Tissues and Formation of Quail-Chicken Chimeric Organs Using The Thymus Example

Published on: February 16, 2019

In Ovo Intravascular Injection in Chicken Embryos07:00

In Ovo Intravascular Injection in Chicken Embryos

Published on: June 3, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Gastrulation01:56

Gastrulation

Gastrulation establishes the three primary tissues of an embryo: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This developmental process relies on a series of intricate cellular movements, which in humans transforms a flat, “bilaminar disc” composed of two cell sheets into a three-tiered structure. In the resulting embryo, the endoderm serves as the bottom layer, and stacked directly above it is the intermediate mesoderm, and then the uppermost ectoderm. Respectively, these tissue strata will form...
Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation01:10

Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation

The development of all multicellular organisms starts with the fusion of haploid cells called sperm and egg to form a diploid zygote. A zygote is a totipotent cell that can develop into a complete organism. The zygote undergoes cell division or cleavage to form an 8-cell mass. Until this stage, the cells are spherical, loosely attached, and remain totipotent. Totipotent cells are capable of developing both the embryonic and the extraembryonic tissues. However, as they continue to divide, they...
Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus01:15

Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus

Development of the reproductive organs in an embryo starts from a bipotential state. This means the early embryo can develop either male or female reproductive organs. The formation of these organs begins with the growth of gonadal ridges that arise from the intermediate mesoderm during the fifth week of development.
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the male...