Influence of simulated microgravity on avian primordial germ cell migration and reproductive capacity.
Fertilized eggs of chicken and quail were incubated under the simulated microgravity condition provided by a clinostat. The number of Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs) was counted in early embryogenesis, and the reproductive capacity of quail hatched following the simulated microgravity was investigated. Simulated microgravity caused significant decline of PGCs in the blood of early chicken embryos and in the gonads. The numbers of spermatogonia in the hatchling testis were also fewer than those in the control groups. Therefore, simulated microgravity may retard gonadial development and reduce the reproductive capacity.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China.
Zandong
Z
Li
Yonghong
Y
Song
Yuzhong
Y
Ma
Hua
H
Wei
Chunhai
C
Liu
Jinsong
J
Huang
Ning
N
Wang
Jin
J
Sha
Fujiro
F
Sakurai
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D002642:Chick Embryo / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D011784:Quail / Q000196:embryology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012399:Rotation; D014893:Weightlessness; D018474:Weightlessness Simulation