Summary
Embryos of the domestic fowl at stage 6 of development were treated with the lectin concanavalin A at a concentration of 10μg/ml in the region of the germinal crescent for 3 h. This inhibits the migration of the primordial germ cells into the blood which otherwise occurs at stage 16 of development. An analysis of the numbers of primordial germ cells in the germinal crescent, blood, and germinal ridge shows that the lectin causes highly significant changes in their distribution. The pattern of settlement in the germinal ridge also appears to be delayed by the concanavalin treatment. The results of these experiments are discussed in relation to membrane receptors on the surface of primordial germ cells. The technique may be of use in modifying the germ line of transgenic birds by facilitating the introduction of exogenous cell lines.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aige-Gil V, Simkiss K (1991) Sterilizing embryos for transgenic chimaeras. Br Poultry Sci (in press)
Clawson RC, Domm LV (1963) Developmental changes in glycogen content of primordial germ cells in chick embryos. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 112: 533–537
Dubois R, Croisille Y (1970) Germ-cell line and sexual differentiation in birds. Philos Trans R Soc Lond [Biol] 259: 73–89
Euyal-Giladi H, Ginsburg M, Farbarov A (1981) Avian primordial germ cells are of epiblastic origin. J Embryol Exp Morphol 65: 139–147
Fujimoto T, Ninomiya T, Ukeshima A (1976) Observation of the primordial germ cells in blood samples from the chick embryo. Dev Biol 49: 278–282
Hamburger V, Hamilton H (1951) A series of normal stages in the development of the chick embryo. J Morphol 88: 49–92
Kuwana T, Maeda-Suga H, Fujimoto T (1986) Attraction of chick primordial germ cells by gonadal anlage in vitro. Anat Rec 215: 403–406
Lee H, Karasary N, Nagele RG (1978) The role of cell surface in the migration of primordial germ cells in early chick embryos; effects of concanavalin A. J Embryol Exp Morphol 46: 5–20
Meyer DB (1964) The migration of primordial germ cells in the chick embryo. Dev Biol 10: 154–190
Reynauld G (1976) Capacités reproductrices et descendance de poulets ayant subi un transfert de cellules germinales primordiales durant la vie embryonnaire. Wilhelm Roux Arch Dev Biol 179: 85–110
Simkiss K (1990) Primordial germ cells and the scope for genetic manipulation using embryos. In: Tullett S (ed) World poultry science symposium, vol 22. Butterworths, London, pp 125–136
—, Rowlett K, Bumstead N, Freeman BM (1989) Transfer of primordial germ cell DNA between embryos. Protoplasma 151: 164–166
—, Vick L, Page N, Luke G, Savva D (1990) Infection of primordial germ cells with retrovirus and their transfer to the developing embryo. In: Proceedings 4th World Congress Genetics Applied Livestock Production 14: 111–114
Singh RP, Meyer DB (1967) Primordial germ cells in blood smears from chick embryos. Science 156: 1503–1504
Urven L, Erickson D, Abbott V, McCarre J (1988) Analysis of germ line development in the chick embryo using an anti-mouse E.C. cell antibody. Development 103: 299–304
—, Abbott V, Erickson C (1989) Distribution of extra-cellular matrix in the migratory pathway of avian primoridal germ cells. Anat Rec 224: 14–21
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Al-Thani, R., Simkiss, K. Effects of an acute in vivo application of concanavalin A on the migration of avian primordial germ cells. Protoplasma 161, 52–57 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01328897
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01328897