A study of the primordial germ cells during their migratory phase in steel mutant mice

J. A. McCoshen; D. J. McCallion

doi:10.1007/bf01932475

The distribution and behavior of extragonadal primordial germ cells in Bax mutant mice suggest a novel origin for sacrococcygeal germ cell tumors

The International Journal of Developmental Biology ◽

10.1387/ijdb.072486cr ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 52 (4) ◽

pp. 333-344 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Christopher Runyan ◽

Ying Gu ◽

Amanda Shoemaker ◽

Leendert Looijenga ◽

Christopher Wylie

Keyword(s):

Germ Cell ◽

Germ Cells ◽

Primordial Germ Cells ◽

Germ Cell Tumors ◽

Mutant Mice ◽

And Behavior

Download Full-text

Zfx mutation results in small animal size and reduced germ cell number in male and female mice

Development ◽

10.1242/dev.124.11.2275 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 124 (11) ◽

pp. 2275-2284

Author(s):

S.W. Luoh ◽

P.A. Bain ◽

R.D. Polakiewicz ◽

M.L. Goodheart ◽

H. Gardner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Turner Syndrome ◽

Germ Cells ◽

Sex Differentiation ◽

Primordial Germ Cells ◽

Small Animal ◽

Cell Number ◽

Targeted Mutagenesis ◽

Mutant Mice ◽

Postnatal Life ◽

Y Chromosomes

The zinc-finger proteins ZFX and ZFY, encoded by genes on the mammalian X and Y chromosomes, have been speculated to function in sex differentiation, spermatogenesis, and Turner syndrome. We derived Zfx mutant mice by targeted mutagenesis. Mutant mice (both males and females) were smaller, less viable, and had fewer germ cells than wild-type mice, features also found in human females with an XO karyotype (Turner syndrome). Mutant XY animals were fully masculinized, with testes and male genitalia, and were fertile, but sperm counts were reduced by one half. Homozygous mutant XX animals were fully feminized, with ovaries and female genitalia, but showed a shortage of oocytes resulting in diminished fertility and shortened reproductive lifespan, as in premature ovarian failure in humans. The number of primordial germ cells was reduced in both XX and XY mutant animals at embryonic day 11.5, prior to gonadal sex differentiation. Zfx mutant animals exhibited a growth deficit evident at embryonic day 12.5, which persisted throughout postnatal life and was not complemented by the Zfy genes. These phenotypes provide the first direct evidence for a role of Zfx in growth and reproductive development.

Download Full-text

Effects of W (c-kit) gene mutation on gametogenesis in male mice: agametic tubular segments in Wf/Wf testes

Development ◽

10.1242/dev.114.4.861 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 114 (4) ◽

pp. 861-867 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

U. Koshimizu ◽

D. Watanabe ◽

Y. Tajima ◽

Y. Nishimune

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Embryonic Development ◽

Germ Cells ◽

Seminiferous Tubule ◽

Primordial Germ Cells ◽

Mutant Mice ◽

Tyrosine Kinase Receptor ◽

Male Mice ◽

Kit Gene ◽

Development And Differentiation

Mutations of the W (c-kit) gene, which encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor, affect the development and differentiation of many types of stem cell. Most homozygous W mutant mice are sterile, due to a lack of germ cells arising during embryonic development, but one of the notable exceptions is Wf/Wf mice, which are fully fertile in both sexes. In order to elucidate the effects of the Wf mutation on spermatogenesis, postnatal spermatogenesis in Wf/Wf mice was histologically examined. The number of gonocytes at birth was significantly reduced and small portions of agametic seminiferous tubule segments were observed in mutant mice. It is suggested that this is due to a deficiency of primordial germ cells (PGC). Other than the agametic tubules, there was no evidence of reduced spermatogenesis after birth. These results indicate that the function of the W (c-kit) gene is more necessary for the development of PGC than for postnatal germ cells.

Download Full-text

Hexachlorobenzene toxicity in the rat ovary: II. Ultrastructure induced by medium (10 mg/kg) dose exposure

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s042482010012374x ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 668-669

Author(s):

Amreek Singh ◽

Warren G. Foster ◽

Anna Dykeman ◽

David C. Villeneuve

Keyword(s):

Germ Cells ◽

Primordial Germ Cells ◽

Surface Epithelium ◽

Morphological Parameters ◽

Comprehensive Investigation ◽

Ovary Surface Epithelium ◽

Rat Ovary ◽

High Doses

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a known toxicant that is found in the environment as a by-product during manufacture of certain pesticides. This chlorinated chemical has been isolated from many tissues including ovary. When administered in high doses, HCB causes degeneration of primordial germ cells and ovary surface epithelium in sub-human primates. A purpose of this experiment was to determine a no-effect dose of the chemical on the rat ovary. The study is part of a comprehensive investigation on the effects of the compound on the biochemical, hematological, and morphological parameters in the monkey and rat.

Download Full-text