Differentiation of Chicken Primordial Germ Cells In vitro

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) were isolated from the genital ridges of chicken (Gallus domesticus) embryos at the 19th stage. PGCs were co-cultured with somatic cells in primary culture and subculture. Identification of PGCs was carried out by c-kit immunocytochemistry. PGCs were induced to differentiate by changing the culture conditions: medium with/without fetal calf serum (FCS) and with/without the granulosa cell feeder layer. The differentiated cells were identified by neuron specific enolase (NSE) and keratin immunocytochemical staining. Results showed that after 5~6 days culture in medium supplemented with 5% FCS and without feeder layer the cultured PGCs could differentiate into fibroblast and neuronal cells. Meanwhile, after 5~6 days culture in serum-free medium with feeder layer the PGCs could differentiate into epithelial and skeletal myoblast cells, as well as neuronal cells. The above results demonstrate that the PGCs isolated from chicken genital ridges possess pluripotent of differentiation.