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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Isolation and Derivation of Mouse Embryonic Germinal Cells
Published on: October 22, 2009
Active locomotion of human primordial germ cells in vitro
Insights
Human primordial germ cells (PGCs) actively migrate in vitro on collagenous substrates. These PGCs exhibit amoeboid movement, demonstrating their capacity for directed locomotion during early development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Human primordial germ cells (PGCs) are crucial for reproduction.
- Understanding PGC migration is vital for developmental and reproductive biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro locomotion of human PGCs.
- To compare PGC migration on various artificial and natural substrates.
Main Methods:
- Human PGCs from 5- to 6-week embryos were cultured in vitro.
- Time-lapse microcinematography was used to observe cell movement.
- PGCs were cultured on collagenous fiber nets, artificial substrates, and natural substrates.
Main Results:
- Human PGCs demonstrated active, amoeboid locomotion on 3D collagenous fiber nets.
- Cells extended pseudopod-like structures and moved randomly.
- Observed velocities averaged 25 microns/h, with cells elongating significantly during movement.
Conclusions:
- Human PGCs are capable of active migration in vitro.
- Collagenous substrates support PGC motility, suggesting their role in PGC homing.
Abstract:
The locomotion of human primordial germ cells (PGCs) in vitro was observed using 16-mm time-lapse microcinematography. PCGs dissociated from 5- to 6-week human embryos were cultured in vitro using L-15 medium and human cord serum, and their movement on three artificial and two natural substrates was compared. Three-dimensional collagenous fiber nets reconstructed in the culture dish were found to be appropriate for PGC movement, although the cells did not migrate actively on any of the other substrates. The PGCs moved actively in an amoeboid fashion, extending pseudopodlike cytoplasmic processes toward the direction of movement. The direction of PGC locomotion was random. One PGC showed the most active motility; the velocity of the cell locomotion averaged 25 microns/h and it became extremely elongated, measuring 92 microns in its longer axis, whereas in the stationary state the PGC was rounded and measured 20 microns in diameter. Thus, the present study offers evidence that human PGCs can migrate actively.
