Acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in migrating primordial germ cells of the early chick embryo

Abstract

Little information is available concerning enzyme activity in primordial germ cells (PGCs) of the early chick embryo. The present study is designed to examine the disposition of alkaline and acid phosphatase activity in the PGCs during their migration into the developing gonads of the early chick embryo. White Leghorn chick embryos were sacrificed at daily intervals from 1 to 6 days of incubation. Following sacrifice the embryos were fixed, dehydrated, and embedded in glycol methacrylate (GMA). Alkaline and acid phosphatases were demonstrated by the simultaneous diazo-coupling method. The embryonic tissues at the different ages were examined for PGCs and the histochemical reactions for alkaline and acid phosphatases in these cells evaluated. Acid phosphatase activity did not appear within PGCs until 3 days of incubation, and then in only a few PGCs in the active phase of their migration in the dorsal mesentery, suggesting that there is no large wave of degeneration of these cells during migration. Alkaline phosphatase activity was observed as early as 2 days of incubation in PGCs during the passive phase of their migration in extraembryonic blood vessels. Alkaline phosphatase-positive PGCs in the active phase of migration were also found in the dorsal mesentery; however, the cellular localization of this enzyme differed from that observed in the passively migrating PCGs, indicating that there are alterations in the metabolic activities of these cells during the active and passive phases of migration.

Differential tissue development during embryogenesis and regeneration in an annelid

“…As ALP is used as a marker molecule for primordial germ cells and embryonic stem cells in vertebrates (Swartz, 1982;Merchant-Larios et al, 1985;MacGregor et al, 1995;Pain et al, 1996;Suzuki et al, 1998;Pera et al, 2000;Saito et al, 2002), special attention was paid in the present study to determining whether ALP is also expressed in E. japonensis germ cells and neoblasts, the putative stem cells that are thought to participate in regeneration of oligochaetes (Randolph, 1891;Christensen, 1964;Herlant-Meewis, 1964). However, no ALP activity was detected in the neoblasts (Fig.…”

“…In some vertebrates, ALP is used as a marker molecule for embryonic stem cells (Pain et al, 1996;Pera et al, 2000;Saito et al, 2002) and primordial germ cells (Swartz, 1982;MerchantLarios et al, 1985;MacGregor et al, 1995;Suzuki et al, 1998); in E. japonensis, however, no ALP activity was detected in the neoblasts (Fig. 2L), the putative stem cells that are thought to participate in regeneration of oligochaetes (Randolph, 1891;Christensen, 1964;Herlant-Meewis, 1964).…”

Carbohydrate characterization of quail primordial germ cells during migration and gonadal differentiation

“…Quail PGCs were only positive to acid phosphatase in the germinal epithelium and dorsal mesentery during these earliest stages. By contrast, in chick this enzyme has only been described in a few PGCs in the active phase of their migration in the dorsal mesentery, and is sometimes related to possible degeneration (Swartz, 1982). In our case, the morphology, location and immunohistochemical markers demonstrate that such PGCs were not degenerating and were carrying out normal cellular activities.…”

“…This is followed by an active interstitial migration, during which PGCs leave the vessels and move into the dorsal mesentery. They arrive at the gonad primordium at stage 24–25HH (Swartz, 1982; Didier et al. 1990; Yoshinaga et al.…”

Ultrastructural Localization of Acid Phosphatase in Germ Cells of Chick Embryo Left Ovary

“…1980] indicate a probable metabolic role of acid phosphatase in the oocytes of some vertebrates. In the chick embryo, Swartz [1982] investigated its pres ence in the primordial germ cells during mi gration and related it to possible degenera tion processes.…”