Avian primordial germ cells are of epiblastic origin

Abstract

We have demonstrated that quail PGCs possess a characteristic heterochromatin nuclear marker demonstrable already at stage 6 H & H with Feulgen staining. Chimaeras of stage-XIII E. G & K chick epiblast and quail hypoblast and vice versa have been made. The chimaeras were incubated up to stage 7-8 H & H and checked histologically with Feulgen staining for the presence of the heterochromatin marker in every detectable PGC. It was found that the PGCs are of epiblastic origin, contrary to previous data and speculations concerning avian PGCs.