TOPIC: GERM CELLS

Course Code: BI-456

Course Name: Cancer Genetics
Submitted to: Dr. Asma Gul
Submitted by: Areeba Hassan (1222-FBAS/BSBT/F19)
Noor ul Eman (1231-FBAS/BSBT/F19)
Usba Bibi (1235-FBAS/BSBT/F19)
Navera Serosh (1238-FBAS/BSBT/F19)
Hamna Nawaz (1239-FBAS/BSBT/F19)
 Germ Cells
A germ cell is any biological cell that gives rise to the gametes of an organism
that reproduces sexually. Germ cells are a central component of sexual reproduction in
animals. They are the route by which the genome and cytoplasmic components are
transferred to the next generation

1. Origin and Maturation:

Germ cell specification begins during cleavage in many animals or in
the epiblast during gastrulation in birds and mammals. After transport, involving passive
movements and active migration, germ cells arrive at the developing gonads.

There, they undergo meiosis, followed by cellular differentiation into mature gametes, either
eggs or sperm. It is the reproductive cell of the body.

They get their name from the word “germinate,” which means to begin to grow. That’s
because as a baby develops before birth, germ cells move into place and become either eggs
in the ovaries or sperm in the testicles.

Egg cells:
The ovaries produce the egg cells, called the ova or oocytes. The oocytes are then transported
to the fallopian tube

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Sperm cells:
Sperm production in most mammals, including humans, takes place in the testicular organ of
biologically male members of the species.
The purpose of a sperm cell is to be released
during sexual intercourse and to eventually
meet with an ovum (egg cell), which is
produced by a biologically female body.
Once united, the sperm will penetrate and
fertilise the egg in order to create new genetic material.

2. Histology (Germ Cells Under Microscope):

Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs):

• Primordial germ cells are elliptical or flat due to the direction of section. The nuclei of
primordial germ cells covers the majority of the cytoplasm and their boundaries are
generally irregular.

• Chromatin is distributed homogenously in the nucleus cytoplasm. The nucleolus is

clear. The cytoplasm is dense and granular.

• Although there are ribosomes, glycogen granules and many mitochondria in the
cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex are insufficiently
developed.

• As compared with the surrounding somatic cells, there are differences in terms of size
and structure. Primordial germ cells have more mitochondria compared to somatic
cells. The nuage material are more dense around the mitochondria

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 • Also, electron-dense structures strike in the cytoplasm. These structures are not
surrounded by a membrane. The structure of cytoplasm is thin-fibrillary and reticular.
• Lipid droplets can be seen sporadically in the germinal cytoplasm.

Sperm cells:
• These cells show an expanded head, a narrow neck, and an elongated thin (not seen
clearly) tail under the microscope.

• The sample tissue also shows the other spermatogenic cells (primary spermatocytes,
secondary spermatocytes, and spermatid) along with the spermatozoa.

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 Egg cells:

The zona pellucida is seen as a thick clear girdle surrounded by the cells of the corona
radiata.

The egg itself shows a central granular deutoplasmic area and a peripheral clear layer, and
encloses the germinal vesicle, in which is seen the germinal spot.

3. Germ cell line markers

SSEA-1:

Stage-specific embryonic antigen (SSEA-1) is another germline marker that is also expressed
in granulocytes. In the germline, SSEA-1 is expressed on the surface of gonocytes and is
considered an early germ cell development marker

c-KIT:

The germline marker c-KIT is a transmembrane protein receptor associated with the
maturation of several cell types, including germ cells

VASA:

VASA has become a specific germ cell marker which is present from when germ cells arrive
at the gonadal ridge in fetal development until mature functional gametes in adults are
produced. The VASA protein is localized in the cytoplasm of germline cells