[Comparative study of primordial germ cells in male and female mouse embryos].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the differences in the development of primordial germ cells (PGCs) between male and female mouse embryos.


METHODS
The morphological changes of genital ridge development were detected in C57BL/6J mouse embryos of 11-13.5 days, and the changes of PGCs quantity and proliferation were compared between the male and female embryos using immunofluorescence histochemistry.


RESULTS
The PGCs was the most numerous at 13.5 days in male and female embryos, and the quantity of proliferating PGCs reached the maximum at 13 days. The quantity of PGCs and proliferating PGCs in male embryos at 13 days was significantly larger than that in female embryos.


CONCLUSIONS
The development of PGCs is characterized by a gender differences in early development of mouse embryos (11-13.5 days).
Wang
Mei-zhi
MZ
Department of Histology and Embryology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Li
Xuan
X
Yao
Xin-mei
XM
Tian
Xue-mei
XM
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology*