Origin of germ cells.

Assignment by Aliza Naeem Rana

Primordial germ cells.
PGC’s are bipotential
They can either become sperms or eggs, if they reside in the ovaries they
become eggs and if they reside in the testis they become sperms.

First and importantly, the cells that generate the sperms or eggs are not
originally from inside of the gonads

Rather they form in the Posterior portion of the embryo and the cells
translation and transcription are shutdown while they migrate from the
Peripheral sites into the embryo to the gonads
Origin of PGC’s in mice :

The newly form PGC’s first enter the

hindgut and eventually migrate into the
bipotential gonads, multiplying as they
migrate.
 ROLE OF SCF :

From the time 9f specification until they enter the genital ridges,
PGC’s are surrounded by cells secreating stem cell factor.
SCF is necessary for
● Survival of PGC’s
● Motility of PGC’s

TRAVELING NICHE :
Moreover, the cluster of SCF secreating cells appears to migrate
with PGC’s forming a travelling niche of cells that support the
persistence, division and movement of PGC’s.
Is it the decision of PGC’s to form either
egg or sperm??
The PGC’s that migrate to gonads do not make their own
decision to either become egg or sperm. That decision is
made by the gonads in which they reside it is signals from
the gonads that create profound differences between
spermatogenesis and oogenesis.
One of the most fundamental difference involves the
“timing of meiosis “
In females meiosis begins in “embryonic gonads “. In males
meiosis is not initiated until puberty.
Gate keeper of meiosis ;
Stra8 transcription factor
The gatekeeper of meiosis appears to be transcription factor
Stra8 which promotes a new round 9f DNA synthesis and
meiotic initiation in germ cells.
In developing ovaries, Stra8 is up regulated by two factors
Wnt4 , Retinoic acid.
Coming from adjacent kidney.
In developing testis, Stra8 is down regulated by Fgf9 and
Retinoic acid produced by the mesonephros is degraded by
testis secreation of RA degrading enzyme. During male
puberty Retinoic acid is synthesisd in SERTOLI CELLS and
induces Stra8 in sperm stem cells.
Once Stra8 is present the sperm stem cells
become committed to meiosis. Thus the timing of
Retinoic acid synthesis appears to control Stra8
and stra8 commits germ cells to meiosis.
ROLE OF MAMMALIAN GONAD
STRUCTURE :
The structure of mammilian gonad plays a critical role as
well.. The SERTOLI cells, leydig cell, blood vessels of
seminiferous tubules constitute a stem cell niche. The
PGC’s that enter the testes will remain in stem like
condition that enable them to mitotically produce sperm
precursors.
The follicle cells of ovary however don't constitute a stem
cell niche, rather each PGC’s will be surrounded by follicle
cells.