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Migration and proliferation of primordial germ cells in the rat
1Department of Teratology, National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Hygiene, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Insights
Early rat primordial germ cell (PGC) development and migration were mapped from day 10-13 postcoitum. In vitro embryo culture accurately models PGC development, aiding toxicological studies.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Embryology
- Reproductive biology
Background:
- Early primordial germ cell (PGC) formation and migration are critical for reproduction.
- Limited information exists on rat PGC development during early embryonic stages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the early formation and migration of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in rat embryos.
- To compare PGC development in vivo and in vitro.
Main Methods:
- Whole rat embryos (days 10-13 postcoitum) were studied, both in utero and in vitro.
- Serial sections were stained for alkaline phosphatase activity to identify PGCs.
- Quantitative measurements tracked PGC numbers and locations.
Main Results:
- On day 10, PGCs were in the visceral yolk sac and allantois.
- By day 12, 94% of PGCs were in the genital ridge mesenchyme.
- PGC numbers increased from 84 on day 10 to 2,768 on day 13 postcoitum.
- In vivo and in vitro embryo development showed minimal differences in PGCs.
Conclusions:
- Rat PGCs migrate from the visceral yolk sac to the genital ridges between days 10-13 postcoitum.
- In vitro whole embryo culture is a viable model for studying PGC development and the effects of toxic agents.
Abstract:
Information about early primordial germ cell (PGC) formation and migration in rats is lacking. In utero developed and in vitro cultivated whole rat embryos were studied on days 10-13 postcoitum (p.c.). The development of the PGCs was investigated in serial sections stained for alkaline phosphatase activity. On postcoital day 10, PGCs were found in the invaginating visceral yolk sac endoderm and at the base of the allantois. At day 11 p.c. PGCs were mostly found in the ventral and lateral gut wall or in the mesenchyme between the gut and the future genital ridges. At day 12 p.c. most of the PGCs (94%) could be localised in the mesenchyme or in the future genital ridges. On postcoital day 13 almost all PGCs had reached the now-well-developed genital ridges. Quantitative measurements showed an increase in the number of PGCs from 84 at day 10 p.c. up to 2,768 at day 13 p.c. Only slight differences were found between in vivo and in vitro embryos with respect to the number of PGCs and their developmental pattern. The in vitro culture of whole rat embryos enables the discrimination between the effects of indirect (maternal) and direct action of PGC-toxic agents.