The Relation of the Interrenal Blastema to the Origin of the Somatic Tissues of the Gonad in Frog Tadpoles

Development ◽  
1954 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-289
Author(s):  
Enrico Vannini ◽  
Armando Sabbadin
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Lateral Position ◽  
Medullary Tissue ◽  
Somatic Tissues ◽  
Frog Tadpoles ◽  
Dorsal Mesentery

As long ago as 1941 and 1942 one of us (Vannini) found in a series of developmental stages of frog tadpoles that the somatic components of the medullary tissue of the gonad have their origin in the interrenal blastema, and not, as was then generally supposed, in the mesonephric blastema. In the earliest stages examined at that time the gonad rudiment had the structure of ‘paired genital ridges’, lying at each side of the dorsal mesentery, and were furnished with primordial germ-cells, but were still without medullary tissue. The interrenal blastema occupied a median site in the tadpole's body, ventral to the aorta and dorsal to the two subcardinal veins. The mesonephric blastemata appeared distinctly separate from the interrenal rudiment, because they were situated in a more lateral position, contiguous with the Wolffian ducts. In later stages the medullary tissue (‘medulla’) penetrated within the genital ridges.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Transcriptomic and Epigenetic Profiles of Gonadal Primordial Germ Cells of White Leghorn and Green-Legged Partridgelike Chicken Embryos

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1090
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Dunislawska ◽  
Maria Siwek ◽  
Katarzyna Stadnicka ◽  
Marek Bednarczyk
Keyword(s):  
Embryonic Development ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Germline Stem Cells ◽  
White Leghorn ◽  
Methylation Analysis ◽  
Global Methylation

The Green-legged Partridgelike fowl is a native, dual-purpose Polish chicken. The White Leghorn has been intensively selected for several decades to mainly improve reproductive traits. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) represent the germline stem cells in chickens and are the only cells that can transfer the information stored in the genetic material from generation to generation. The aim of the study was to carry out a transcriptomic and an epigenetic comparison of the White Leghorn and Green-legged Partridgelike gonadal PGCs (gPGCs) at three developmental stages: days 4.5, 8, and 12 of the embryonic development. RNA and DNA were isolated from collected gPGCs. The RNA was further subjected to microarray analysis. An epigenetic analysis was performed based on the global methylation analysis and qMSP method for the particular silenced genes demonstrated in transcriptomic analysis. Statistically significant differences between the gPGCs from both breeds were detected on the day 8 of embryonic development. Global methylation analysis showed significant changes at the methylation level in the White Leghorn gPGCs on day 8 of embryonic development. The results suggest faster development of Green-legged Partridgelike embryos as compared to White Leghorn embryos. Changes in the levels of gene expression during embryonic development are determined by genetic and environmental factors, and this variability is influenced by breed and gender.

On the role of germ cells in planarian regeneration

Development ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-63
Author(s):  
V. Gremigni ◽  
C. Miceli ◽  
I. Puccinelli
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Number ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Karyological Analysis ◽  
Blastema Formation ◽  
Planarian Regeneration ◽  
Somatic Tissues ◽  
Caudal Area ◽  
Complete Regeneration

Specimens from a polyploid biotype of Dugesia lugubris s.l. were used to clarify the role and fate of germ cells during planarian regeneration. These specimens provide a useful karyological marker because embryonic and somatic cells (3n = 12) can be easily distinguished from male (2n = 8) and female (6n = 24) germ cells by their chromosome number. We succeed in demonstrating how primordial germ cells participate in blastema formation and take part in rebuilding somatic tissues. This evidence was obtained by cutting each planarian specimen twice at appropriate levels. The first aimed to induce primordial germ cells to migrate to the wound. The second cut was performed after complete regeneration and aimed to obtain a blastema from a cephalic or caudal area devoid of gonads. A karyological analysis of mitotic cells present in each blastema obtained after the second cut provided evidence that cells, originally belonging to the germ lines, are still present in somatic tissues even months after complete regeneration. The role of primordial germ cells in planarian regeneration was finally discussed in relation to the phenomenon of metaplasia or transdifferentiation.

Identification of tissues and patterning events required for distinct steps in early migration of zebrafish primordial germ cells

Development ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 5295-5307 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Weidinger ◽  
U. Wolke ◽  
M. Koprunner ◽  
M. Klinger ◽  
E. Raz
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Cell Lineage ◽  
Paraxial Mesoderm ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Dorsoventral Patterning ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Migration Process ◽  
Early Migration ◽  
Somatic Tissues

In many organisms, the primordial germ cells have to migrate from the position where they are specified towards the developing gonad where they generate gametes. Extensive studies of the migration of primordial germ cells in Drosophila, mouse, chick and Xenopus have identified somatic tissues important for this process and demonstrated a role for specific molecules in directing the cells towards their target. In zebrafish, a unique situation is found in that the primordial germ cells, as marked by expression of vasa mRNA, are specified in random positions relative to the future embryonic axis. Hence, the migrating cells have to navigate towards their destination from various starting positions that differ among individual embryos. Here, we present a detailed description of the migration of the primordial germ cells during the first 24 hours of wild-type zebrafish embryonic development. We define six distinct steps of migration bringing the primordial germ cells from their random positions before gastrulation to form two cell clusters on either side of the midline by the end of the first day of development. To obtain information on the origin of the positional cues provided to the germ cells by somatic tissues during their migration, we analyzed the migration pattern in mutants, including spadetail, swirl, chordino, floating head, cloche, knypek and no isthmus. In mutants with defects in axial structures, paraxial mesoderm or dorsoventral patterning, we find that certain steps of the migration process are specifically affected. We show that the paraxial mesoderm is important for providing proper anteroposterior information to the migrating primordial germ cells and that these cells can respond to changes in the global dorsoventral coordinates. In certain mutants, we observe accumulation of ectopic cells in different regions of the embryo. These ectopic cells can retain both morphological and molecular characteristics of primordial germ cells, suggesting that, in zebrafish at the early stages tested, the vasa-expressing cells are committed to the germ cell lineage.

scholarly journals When Regenerative Medicine Faces the Challenges of Reproductive Medicine: A Review Study on Recent Advances in the Strategies for Derivation of Gametes from Stem Cells

2020 ◽  
pp. 42-52
Author(s):  
María Gil Juliá ◽  
José V. Medrano
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Differentiation Strategy ◽  
Stem Cell Source ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Key Events

The murine model has allowed for the replication of all developmental stages of the mammalian germline in vitro, from embryonic stem cells to epiblast cells, primordial germ cells, and finally into functional haploid gametes. However, because of interspecies differences between mice and humans, these results are yet to be replicated in our species. Reports on the use of stem cells as a source of gametes, retrieved from public scientific databases, were analysed and classified according to the animal model used, the stem cell source and type, the differentiation strategy, and its potential application. This review offers a comprehensive compilation of recent publications of key events in the derivation of germ cells and gametogenesis in vitro, in both mice and human models. Additionally, studies intending to replicate the different stages in human cells in vitro, in order to obtain cells with a phenotype akin to functional human gametes, are also depicted. The authors present options for deriving gametes from stem cells in vitro and different reproductive options for specific groups of patients. Lastly, the potential applications of in vitro human gametogenesis are evaluated as well as the main limitations of the techniques employed. Even though it appears that we are far from being able to obtain gametes from pluripotent stem cells in vitro as a viable reproductive option, its current academic and clinical implications are extremely promising.

Interactions between primordial germ cells play a role in their migration in mouse embryos

Development ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gomperts ◽  
M. Garcia-Castro ◽  
C. Wylie ◽  
J. Heasman
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Primitive Streak ◽  
Carbohydrate Antigen ◽  
Mature Stage ◽  
Conventional View ◽  
Embryonic Antigen ◽  
Hind Gut ◽  
Extraembryonic Mesoderm ◽  
Dorsal Mesentery

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the founder cell population of the gametes which form during the sexually mature stage of the life cycle. In the mouse, they arise early in embryogenesis, first becoming visible in the extraembryonic mesoderm, posterior to the primitive streak, at 7.5 days post coitum (d.p.c.). They subsequently become incorporated into the epithelium of the hind gut, from which they emigrate (9.5 d.p.c.) and move first into the dorsal mesentery (10.5 d.p.c.), and then into the genital ridges that lie on the dorsal body wall (11.5 d.p.c.). We have used confocal microscopy to study PGCs stained with an antibody that reacts with a carbohydrate antigen (Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigen-1, SSEA-1) carried on the PGC surface. This allows the study of the whole PGC surface, at different stages of their migration. The appearance of PGCs in tissue sections has given rise to the conventional view that they migrate as individuals, each arriving in turn at the genital ridge. In this paper, we show that PGCs leave the hind gut independently, but then extend long (up to 40 microns) processes, with which they link up to each other to form extensive networks. During the 10.5-11.5 d.p.c. period, these networks of PGCs aggregate into groups of tightly apposed cells in the genital ridges. As this occurs, their processes are lost, and their appearance suggests they are now non-motile. Furthermore, we find that PGCs taken from the dorsal mesentery at 10.5 d.p.c. perform the same sequence of movements in culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Germ cell migration in toad (Bufo bufo): effect of ventral grafting of embryonic dorsal regions

Development ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-87
Author(s):  
Piero P. Giorgi
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cell ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Ventral Side ◽  
Bufo Bufo ◽  
Tail Bud ◽  
Germ Cell Migration ◽  
Endodermal Cells ◽  
Toad Bufo ◽  
Dorsal Mesentery

Bufo bufo embryos were used at the tail-bud stage for the grafting of two different dorsal regions (cephalic and caudal tracts) into the ventral side of the embryo (cf. Fig. 1). Germ cell localization was studied at the beginning of larval life. The results seem to confirm the original finding of Gipouloux (1970) who suggested that in anurans germ cells migrate under the attraction of a substance produced by the dorsal mesodermal tissues. The attractive action of dorsal tissue was confined to the caudal region of the embryo. In operated specimens the migration of germ cells was drastically altered. The genital ridges of host embryos were almost sterile, while numerous germ cells appeared associated with caudal grafts. A considerably smaller number of germ cells was associated with cephalic grafts. About 80% of germ cells associated with caudal grafts were present at the same levels where a well-developed dorsal mesentery was also present. It is suggested that the formation of the dorsal mesentery plays a morphogenetic role in segregating primordial germ cells from other endodermal cells and contributes to their final localization in the genital ridges.

scholarly journals Primordial germ cells do not migrate along nerve fibres in marmoset monkey and mouse embryos

Reproduction ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Wolff ◽  
M M Suplicki ◽  
R Behr
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Peripheral Nerves ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Spatial Association ◽  
General Mechanism ◽  
Human Embryos ◽  
General Strategy ◽  
Marmoset Monkey ◽  
Specific Finding

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the embryonic precursors of spermatozoa and eggs. In mammals, PGCs arise early in embryonic development and migrate from their tissue of specification over a significant distance to reach their destinations, the genital ridges. However, the exact mechanism of translocation is still debated. A study on human embryos demonstrated a very close spatial association between migrating PGCs and developing peripheral nerves. Thus, it was proposed that peripheral nerves act as guiding structures for migrating PGCs. The goal of the present study is to test whether the association between nerves and PGCs may be a human-specific finding or whether this represents a general strategy to guide PGCs in mammals. Therefore, we investigated embryos of different developmental stages from the mouse and a non-human primate, the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus), covering the phase from PGC emergence to their arrival in the gonadal ridge. Embryo sections were immunohistochemically co-stained for tubulin beta-3 chain (TUBB3) to visualise neurons and Octamer-binding protein 4 (OCT4 (POU5F1)) as marker for PGCs. The distance between PGCs and the nearest detectable neuron was measured. We discovered that in all embryos analysed of both species, the majority of PGCs (>94%) was found at a minimum distance of 50 µm to the closest neuron and, more importantly, that the PGCs had reached the gonads before any TUBB3 signal could be detected in the vicinity of the gonads. In conclusion, our data indicate that PGC migration along peripheral nerves is not a general mechanism in mammals.

Transfer of Primordial Germ-cells in Xenopus laevis

Development ◽  
1961 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 634-641
Author(s):  
A. W. Blackler ◽  
M. Fischberg
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Dorsal Region ◽  
Blastula Stage ◽  
Early Embryonic Stage ◽  
Sex Cells ◽  
Fertilized Egg ◽  
Dorsal Mesentery

There have been many claims for the segregation of Anuran primordial germcells at an early embryonic stage. Most authors agree that these cells may be distinguished with ease in the most dorsal region of the larval endoderm and, somewhat later in development, at the base of the dorsal mesentery and in the undifferentiated gonad (see review by Johnston, 1951). Bounoure (1934) and Blackler (1958) claim to have traced the origin of the primordial germ-cells as early in development as the late blastula stage and to have recognized cell inclusions that become restricted to the germ line at all stages between the fertilized egg and the late blastula. As pointed out by Everett (1945), some workers in this field of embryological study have firmly denied the existence of primordial germ-cells, while others have been cautious of accepting the principle that these cells give rise to any of the definitive sex-cells (gametes).

Parental methylation patterns of a transgenic locus in adult somatic tissues are imprinted during gametogenesis

Development ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 831-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Ueda ◽  
K. Yamazaki ◽  
R. Suzuki ◽  
H. Fujimoto ◽  
H. Sasaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Cpg Island ◽  
Methylation Status ◽  
Gene Promoter ◽  
Parental Origin ◽  
Chromosome 11 ◽  
Somatic Tissues ◽  
Methylation Patterns

The methylation status of a mouse metallothionein-I/human transthyretin fusion gene was studied during gametogenesis in transgenic mice. In the adult tissues of this mouse line, the promoter region of the transgene on chromosome 11 is methylated when it is maternally inherited and undermethylated when it is paternally inherited. Germ cells from various developmental stages of gametogenesis were isolated, and their DNAs were assayed using methylation-sensitive restriction endonucleases and the polymerase chain reaction. Only low to nonexistent levels of transgene methylation were detected in germ cells from 14.5-day-old male and female fetuses irrespective of the parental origin of the transgene. This undermethylated state persisted in oocytes from newborn females as well as in testicular spermatogenic cells and sperm. By contrast, the transgene promoter was completely methylated in fully grown oocytes arrested at the first meiotic prophase. The endogenous metallothionein-I gene promoter, located on a different chromosome, remained undermethylated at all stages examined, consistent with previous findings reported for a typical CpG island. Taken together, the results suggest that parental-specific adult patterns of transgene methylation are established during gametogenesis.

scholarly journals The reversible developmental unipotency of germ cells in chicken

Reproduction ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Gyoung Jung ◽  
Young Mok Lee ◽  
Jin Nam Kim ◽  
Tae Min Kim ◽  
Ji Hye Shin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Germ Cell ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Primordial Germ Cells ◽  
Transmission Efficiency ◽  
Germline Transmission ◽  
Adult Testis

We recently developed bimodal germline chimera production approaches by transfer of primordial germ cells (PGCs) or embryonic germ cells (EGCs) into embryos and by transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) or germline stem cells (GSCs) into adult testes. This study was undertaken to investigate the reversible developmental unipotency of chicken germ cells using our established germline chimera production systems. First, we transferred freshly isolated SSCs from adult testis or in vitro cultured GSCs into stage X and stage 14–16 embryos, and we found that these transferred SSCs/GSCs could migrate to the recipient embryonic gonads. Of the 527 embryos that received SSCs or GSCs, 135 yielded hatchlings. Of 17 sexually mature males (35.3%), six were confirmed as germline chimeras through testcross analysis resulting in an average germline transmission efficiency of 1.3%. Second, PGCs/EGCs, germ cells isolated from embryonic gonads were transplanted into adult testes. The EGC transplantation induced germline transmission, whereas the PGC transplantation did not. The germline transmission efficiency was 12.5 fold higher (16.3 vs 1.3%) in EGC transplantation into testis (EGCs to adult testis) than that in SSC/GSC transfer into embryos (testicular germ cells to embryo stage). In conclusion, chicken germ cells from different developmental stages can (de)differentiate into gametes even after the germ cell developmental clock is set back or ahead. Use of germ cell reversible unipotency might improve the efficiency of germ cell-mediated germline transmission.

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