[Development of gametogonia in ektopically transplanted gonads of Triturus]

Homografts of gonads including fat-bodies show fusion of the fat-body with liver tissue. Thus, contact between gonad and liver is only indirect. The differentiation of the gametogonia follows the normal way of development. In case of ovary homografts auxocytes appear. Not later than 27 days after transplantation vascularization is reestablished.Homo- and autografts of gonads without fat-body show a quite different development of the gametogonia. When the gonads are broadly fused with liver tissue one notices karyolysis of the gametogonia nuclei within the gonad liver contact region already 7 days after transplantation. After 3-4 weeks the graft represents a cyst formed by connective tissue without any germ cells. Erythrocytes indicate vascularization. In the gonad partly fused with liver normal structure and mitosis in the gametogonia appear in that part of the transplant not attached to liver tissue. The present experiments suggest that the degeneration of germ cells is depending on their position to extragonadal tissue.