"Nuage" in the Primordial Germ Cells of the Chick Embryo

The primordial germ cells (PGC) of the chick embryo in stage 4 of Hamburger /Hamilton (1951) have cytoplasmic formations similar in shape, texture, aggregation and relations with other cell components to the germinal plasm and “nuage” described in other species. The observation of this material in the earliest period of differentiation of PGC suggest that this substance plays an essential role in the determination of the germinal line in birds. The observation of “nuage” material in the PGC of the chick embryo adds evidence for this formation in germ cells.     

Production of germ-line chimeras by the transfer of cryopreserved gonadal germ cells collected from 7- and 9-day-old chick embryos

Gonadal germ cells (GGC) were collected from the gonads of 7‐ or 9‐day‐old White Leghorn chick embryos and suspended in freezing medium containing 10% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The cell suspension was frozen at ?1°C/min. until the temperature reached ?80°C. Then, the cells were immersed in liquid nitrogen at ?196°C and stored for 3–4 months. Approximately 50 frozen/thawed GGC were injected into the dorsal aorta of each 2‐day‐old Rhode Island Red (RIR) embryo, from which blood was drawn before germ‐cell injection. The injected embryos were incubated until they hatched and the chicks were raised until sexually mature. On reaching sexual maturity, a progeny test was performed by mating recipient chicks with normal RIR of the opposite sex. Progenies were obtained from male germ cell recipients that were injected with germ cells collected from 7‐ and 9‐day‐old embryos. The results demonstrated that frozen/thawed GGC collected from 7‐ or 9‐day‐old fertilized eggs can be used to produce male germ‐line chimeras.     

Changes in the tubular compartment of the testis of Gallus domesticus during development

1.?The aim of the present study was to analyze histological and stereological changes in the tubular compartment in Gallus domesticus testes, as well as the variations in the number and size of their cells, from the start of morphological differentiation of the gonads (8-d chick-embryo) until the adult reproductive stage (28 weeks old).

2.?In embryonic chick testes, the total volume occupied by the interstitial tissue is greater than that occupied by the tubular compartment, but in the post-hatched chick the total volume of tubular compartment exceeds that of the interstitial tissue.

3.?From day 1 until 28 weeks of age, the seminiferous tubules increased in total volume, diameter, and epithelial height, which was directly related to the increase in the number of Sertoli and germ cells and the size of Sertoli cells.

4.?In the testes of one-day- and 6-week-old chicks, Sertoli cells were the most abundant cell type in the seminiferous tubules due to hyperplasia, but in 28-week-old birds the germ cells were the most abundant cell type. Hypertrophy rather than hyperplasia of Sertoli cells appears to be responsible for the increase in the total volume of seminiferous tubules.

5.?There are marked age-dependent changes in the tubular compartment of chick testes that help to understand the histological and stereological events occurring during normal development.     

Conditioning of karyoplasts for producing somatic nuclear transferred gonadal germ cells in domestic chickens

The objective of this study was to establish a protocol for generating karyoplasts that can be used to produce somatic nuclear transferred gonadal germ cells (snt-GGCs) in domestic chickens. Karyoplasts were produced by centrifuging cultured fibroblasts from 10-day-old chick embryos at 10,000 x g in the presence of 1.0 microg/ml cytochalasin B. The number of karyoplasts was significantly (P<0.05) higher and the diameters of the karyoplasts were significantly (P<0.05) smaller when fibroblasts were centrifuged for 60 min than for 10 or 30 min. It was possible to generate snt-GGCs by electrofusion of GGCs with karyoplasts produced from cryopreserved or serum-starved fibroblasts. These results indicate that karyoplasts generated from 10-day-old chick embryos can be used to produce snt-GGCs even after cryopreservation and serum starvation of the fibroblasts.     

Die Frühentwicklung der Gonaden und die Ontogenese von Rete testis und Tubuli seminiferi recti beim Huhn (Gallus domesticus)1

The early development of the gonads, and the ontogenesis of the rete testis and tubuli seminiferi recti in the chicken (Gallus domesticus) The primordium of the gonads can be discerned in the 4-day chick embryo by the elevation of the celomic epithelium to form germinal epithelium, and by the arrival of the primordial germ cells. Already in the 4½ day chick embryo there appears on the left side of the body, as a result of the first proliferation of the germinal epithelium, a subepithelial mesenchymelike cell conglomeration, which has been erroneously labelled in the literature a “urogenital union”. In contrast to the opinion expressed in the literature such a union does not appear until the 10th day, when the mesenchymal cells change to forerunners of rete cells which after hatching differentiate into rete-epithelial cells. The rete testis consists of intra and extratesticular transverse cisterns and of an intercalated and partically subdivided longitudinal cistern. The tubuli seminiferi contori end on the intracapsular lingitudinal cisterns either directly, or indirectly by intercalated tubuli siminiferi recti or intratesticular transverse cisterns.     

Immunohistochemical Localization of Progesterone Receptor Isoforms in the Chick Pre-follicular Ovary

The distribution of progesterone receptor A and B isoforms in different cell types of the chick pre-follicular ovary was studied by immunohistochemistry. Newly hatched chicks were killed and the left ovary was removed, fixed and embedded in paraplast. Sections (5 microns thick) were made for the detection of progesterone receptor isoforms, using a technique of indirect immunoperoxidase. The results indicate that progesterone receptors were localized in the nuclei of germinal epithelium and germ cells of the ovarian cortex and in the interstitial and epithelial cells of the lacunar channels of the ovarian medulla. Undifferentiated cells did not present progesterone receptors. In all cell subpopulations progesterone receptor B was the predominantly expressed isoform. These data suggest that progesterone receptor isoforms are differentially expressed in the chick pre-follicular ovary and that progesterone effects in this tissue are mediated by the progesterone receptor B isoform.     

禽流感病毒A/Chicken/Mudanjiang/0823/00(H9N2) 株NS1基因的克隆及序列分析

用PCR方法,成功扩增出国内分离株禽流感病毒H9N2型非结构蛋白(NS1)基因cDNA,并将该片段连接到pMD 18-T载体上,转化TGI感受态细胞,在含氨苄青霉素的LB平板上筛选阳性克隆,提取质粒,经限制性内切酶鉴定,对目的片段进行测序,结果获得了NS1基因全长,约700bp.该片段的核酸序列与已知A/Chick/HongKong/1074/99(H9N2)、A/Chick/HongKong/1073/99(H9N2)毒株序列进行同源性比较,同源性皆为94.37%,氨基酸序列同源性分别为93.91%和93.48%.     

Immunohistochemical localization of oestrogen receptor alpha in the various cell categories of chick embryo ovary

The immunohistochemical (IHC) localization of oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) was studied in the developing left ovary of 14.5-day-old chick embryos. The study was focused in particular on distinguishing in cortex and medulla the different cell categories that proved positive to the reaction, in order to gain further understanding of gonadal cell interactions during ovarian development. Immunostained cells were observed in both the cortex and medulla, but the reactivity for ERα was discontinuous, probably due to variable cell requirements. In the cortex, positivity was observed in cells of the ovarian surface epithelium, in germ cells and in prefollicular cells. In the medulla, positivity was found in the following cell categories: interstitial cells, poorly differentiated somatic cord cells, including those delimiting lacunae, germ cells and their accompanying cells of epithelial origin. Furthermore, the IHC results showed that the intracellular localization of the antigen was cytoplasmic, nuclear, or both. The significance of ERα presence and intracellular localization was discussed in relation and as supplementary to previous research by various Authors. In particular, as regards the unusual cytoplasmic immunoreactivity, a gradual shift of ERα localization from cytoplasmic to nuclear during the embryonic period is suggested.     

Induction of chicken interferon by avian infectious bronchitis virus.

The ability of nine strains of avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) to induce chicken interferon has been investigated using Semliki Forest virus for the tests. The Beaudette, H120 and Connecticut 46 strains induced interferon in the allantoic fluids of embryonated hens' eggs, the highest titre (1 : 30) being associated with Beaudette; but these as well as the Massachusetts M-41 and H52 strains failed to yield interferon in primary monolayer cultures of chick kidney cells as did all nine strains in organ cultures of chick embryo trachea. None of six strains of IBV investigated was susceptible to the inhibitory effects of chicken interferon.     

Effect of luteinising-hormone in vivo on ovarian cell subpopulations of newly-hatched chicks

1. We analysed the number and size of different ovarian cell subpopulations of newly-hatched chicks by ovarian cell suspension count and morphometric/stereological methods as well as delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta5-3beta HSD) activity in these cells treated in vivo with LH during embryonic development. 2. Fertile White Leghorn eggs received 1 microg LH applied to the chorioallantoic membrane on days 13, 15, and 17 of incubation. All animals were killed within 24 h after hatching, the left ovary was dissected and processed. 3. The results indicate that the number of germ, pregranulosa, interstitial and undifferentiated cells was not affected by LH treatment. However, we observed an increase in the size of individual interstitial cells of the ovarian medulla. In these cells, delta5-3beta HSD activity was increased in response to LH. 4. These findings suggest that LH does not exert a proliferative effect on the cells of the prefollicular ovary of the chick and that interstitial cells can be target cells for LH, increasing their steroidogenic activity due to LH treatment.     

Niveles de diferenciación estructural alcanzados por las células prospectivas cardiacas cultivadas in vitro

A study of the ultrastructural characteristics of developing cardiac muscle cells from in vitro culture was carried out with die aid of tissues taken from the cardiogenic areas of 5 H. H. stage chick embryos. The characteristics of the developing cells were quite comparable to those developed in situ.     

成体鸡精原干细胞和性原细胞分化潜能的研究

实验共设计了8对引物,即发育全能性的标志基因(OTC4)引物1对,管家基因(β-actin)引物1对,三胚层分别特异表达的基因引物各2对。每个胚层筛选出1个在4日龄鸡胚上表达的基因,然后用RT-PCR法检测性原细胞皮下移植10d后和精原干细胞翅下移植8d后组织内这3个基因的表达情况。结果表明:在OTC4基因和β-actin基因都表达的情况下,性原细胞皮下移植10d后的组织和精原干细胞翅下移植8d后组织都是中胚层和外胚层基因表达,内胚层基因不表达,即成体鸡精原干细胞和性原细胞可自动分化成中胚层和外胚层2个胚层,这说明成体鸡精原干细胞和性原细胞拥有形成多能细胞的潜能。     

Effect of follicle-stimulating hormone on different cell sub-populations in the ovary of newly hatched chicks treated during embryonic development

1. Cell sub-populations of the ovary of newly-hatched chicks were assessed following follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) treatment during embryonic development. Changes in cell number and the amount of oestradiol in serum were determined. 2. White Leghorn chick embryos received 1 mug FSH applied to the chorioallantoic membrane at 13, 15, and 17 d of incubation. Within 24 h after hatching, animals were killed and blood was collected. The left ovary was immediately removed then weighed and processed by an enzymatic-mechanical dissociation method for total cell count. An air-drying method was also used for meiotic preparations to study the germinal cells. 3. The pre-follicular ovary is able to respond to FSH by inducing an increase both in the serum oestradiol concentration and in the number of steroidogenic cells and of poorly differentiated cells of the ovarian medulla. 4. FSH increases the number of oogonia, which are responsible for a sharp increase in the total population of germ cells in the FSH-treated ovary. 5. It is possible that FSH acts to increase the proliferation of oogonia and a delay in the meiotic prophase through a change in the microenvironment rather than by a direct effect on germ cells.     

2-Bromopropane induced germ cell apoptosis during spermatogenesis in male rat

2-Bromopropane (2-BP) causes testicular toxicity in humans and rats. However, the germ cell degeneration of testicular toxicity by 2-BP has not been understood. 2-BP at doses of 135, 405, and 1,355 mg/kg/day was daily injected subcutaneously into Sprague-Dawley rats for 28 days. At the dose of 1,355 mg/kg/day, 2-BP significantly decreased the weights of body and testes, eipididymis, seminal vesicle, and prostate, as well as daily sperm production. Atrophy of seminiferous tubules accompanied with degeneration of germ cells such as spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and elongated spermatids was observed in the testes of rats exposed to the 405 mg/kg/day and 1,355 mg/kg/day of 2-BP. TUNEL-positive germ cells were appeared in the 405 and 1,355 mg/kg/day of 2-BP-treated groups. In addition, ultrastructure alterations of apoptotic germ cells were observed by the electron microscopy study. Dead elongated spermatids were observed at 1,355 mg/kg/day after 28 days exposure. These results suggest that 2-BP impair spermatogenesis may result from apoptotic germ cell death.     

Perspectives of germ cell development in vitro in mammals

Pluripotent stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are able to differentiate into all cell lineages of the embryo proper, including germ cells. This pluripotent property has a huge impact on the fields of regenerative medicine, developmental biology and reproductive engineering. Establishing the germ cell lineage from ESCs/iPSCs is the key biological subject, since it would contribute not only to dissection of the biological processes of germ cell development but also to production of unlimited numbers of functional gametes in vitro. Toward this goal, we recently established a culture system that induces functional mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs), precursors of all germ cells, from mouse ESCs/iPSCs. The successful in vitro production of PGCs arose from the study of pluripotent cell state, the signals inducing PGCs and the technology of transplantation. However, there are many obstacles to be overcome for the robust generation of mature gametes or for application of the culture system to other species, including humans and livestock. In this review, we discuss the requirements for a culture system to generate the germ cell lineage from ESCs/iPSCs.     

Stimulating effects of androgen on proliferation of cultured ovarian germ cells through androgenic and estrogenic actions in embryonic chickens

The effect of androgen on germ cell proliferation was evaluated by a chicken ovarian germ–somatic cell co-culture model and the mechanisms were explored. Ovarian cells were dispersed from 18-day-old embryos, cultured in serum-free McCoy's 5A medium and challenged with testosterone (T) alone or in combinations with androgen receptor antagonist Flutamide, estrogen receptor antagonist Tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor Letrozole for 48 h. Germ cells were identified by c-kit immunocytochemistry. The number of germ cells was counted and the proliferating cells were identified by immunocytochemistry of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The labeling index (LI) was determined for germ cells. Results showed that T (10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁶ M) significantly increased the number of germ cells (P < 0.05) and this stimulating effect was inhibited by Flutamide (10–1000 ng/ml), Tamoxifen (10–1000 ng/ml) or Letrozole (10⁻⁹ to 10⁻⁷ M) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, PCNA-LI of germ cells displayed similar changes with the numbers of germ cells. These results indicated that T-stimulated proliferation of cultured ovarian germ cells through both, androgenic and estrogenic actions in embryonic chickens.     

Effect of luteinizing hormone on the right regressing ovary of newly hatched chicks treated during embryonic development

We studied the histologic and stereological changes induced in the right ovary of newly hatched chicks treated with LH during their embryonic development. Results indicate that LH administration causes a diminution in size and total volume (P < 0.01) of the right ovary, as well as a decrease in the total volume of lacunar channels, blood vessels, and interstitium. Other changes obtained after LH treatment were a reduction (P < 0.001) in the number of germ cells, as well as an increase in the total volume of interstitial cell cords (P < 0.01). This expansion is due to the increase of cellular volume of interstitial cells (P < 0.001) and not to their number, which decrease in the LH-treated right ovary. All these modifications were similar to those occurring in the regressing right ovary during development. The findings suggest that the right ovary of the newly hatched chick is able to respond to LH treatment during embryonic development, inducing marked histologic changes that accelerate its regression.     

视黄酸诱导鸡胚胎干细胞向雄性生殖细胞分化的研究

体外胚胎干细胞（embryonic stem cells,ESCs）向生殖细胞分化可用于治疗不育症,同时也为揭示种系世代的分子机制提供最佳模型。试验旨在探讨视黄酸（retinoic acid,RA）诱导鸡胚胎干细胞（chicken embryonic stem cells,cESCs）向雄性生殖细胞（male germ cells,MGCs）分化的作用效果。利用胰蛋白酶消化法从新鲜种蛋X期鸡胚中分离胚胎干细胞,以鸡胚成纤维（chicken embryo fibroblast,CEF）细胞为滋养层,进行体外培养,利用形态法、碱性磷酸酶（alkaline phosphatase,AKP）染色和胚胎阶段特异性表面抗原（embryo specific surface antigen 1,SSEA-1）检测对获得的胚胎干细胞进行鉴定。结果表明,获得典型的呈巢状或岛状的cESCs克隆,细胞AKP染色呈蓝紫色,表明其具有较高的内源性AKP活性;SSEA-1鉴定结果呈阳性,显示cESCs克隆具有多能性。采用10^-5 mol/L RA诱导鸡胚胎干细胞向雄性生殖细胞分化,镜下观察细胞形态变化,分别于诱导第0、2、4、6、8、10天提取细胞总RNA,反转录成cDNA,用于实时荧光定量PCR检测生殖细胞标志基因的表达。结果表明,在此诱导过程中,作为胚胎干细胞标志基因Nanog、Sox2表达量持续显著下降,而生殖细胞特异性基因Dazl、Stra8、c-kit、integrin α6表达量呈持续上升趋势;免疫细胞化学检测可观察到特异基因相关蛋白的阳性克隆。本研究成功分离出cESCs,可体外培养并保持未分化状态及多能性。10^-5 mol/L RA能够促进cESCs向雄性生殖细胞方向分化,可以引起生殖细胞相应基因的表达,为进一步研究雄性生殖细胞的形成和调控机制提供参考。     

Migration and differentiation of gonadal germ cells under cross-sex germline chimeras condition in domestic chickens

A series of experiments was conducted to investigate migration, proliferation and differentiation of gonadal germ cells (GGCs) collected from the gonads of 7-day-old chick embryos under cross-sex germline chimera conditions. The migratory and proliferative abilities of exogenous GGCs were examined by transferring 50 fluorescently labeled GGCs collected from White Leghorn (WL) embryos into the blood of 2-day-old Rhode Island Red (RIR) embryos. No significant difference was observed in the number of fluorescently labeled GGCs in the gonads of recipient embryos among any of the four possible donor and recipient sex combinations. Cross-sex germline chimeras were produced to examine the differentiation of GGCs by transferring 100 GGCs from WL embryos into 2-day-old RIR embryos. Exogenous-GGC-derived progeny were obtained from both male and female recipients, except when female GGCs were transferred into male recipients. The migratory ability of GGCs recovered from the 7-day-old embryonic gonad was not influenced by cross-sex germ cell transfer conditions, whereas the differentiation of the GGCs was affected by the sex combinations of GGCs donors and recipients.