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Extratubular migration of gonocytes in the foetal rabbit testis

Nature volume 273, pages 464–466 (1978)Cite this article

Abstract

THE migration of primordial germ cells (PGC) from the yolk sac to the genital ridge, where they become incorporated into the developing seminiferous tubules as gonocytes, is well documented for a wide variety of mammalian species1–3. Until now no further migration of PGCs out of the tubule has been observed. Here we present light and electron microscope evidence for a second migration of gonocytes out of the tubules and into the interstitium. These observations provide additional information on the mode of movement of migrating germ cells and it is also suggested that these extratubular gonocytes may be the origin of testicular teratomas in animals or embryonal carcinomas in man4.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London, W1, UK

    R. P. GOULD & F. HADDAD

Authors
  1. R. P. GOULD
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  2. F. HADDAD
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GOULD, R., HADDAD, F. Extratubular migration of gonocytes in the foetal rabbit testis. Nature 273, 464–466 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/273464a0

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