›› 2013, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (3): 137-140.

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Research Progress of Embryonic Stem Cells Differentiating into Germ Cell

RAO Jia-hui, ZHOU Xu   

  1. College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
  • Received:2012-08-28 Online:2013-03-20 Published:2013-03-19

Abstract: The germ cells come from the primordial germ cells(PGCs), in vivo differentiation mechanism of which has been basically understood. With the development of germ cell studies, in vitro induction of germ cells has become the reality. Embryonic stem cells(ESCs) can be induced to differentiate into epiblast-like cells, then into primordial germ-like or primordial germ cells. When transferred into fetal gland they have the abilities to undergo meiosis and create sperm; when transferred together with ovum into gonad of newly born mouse lacking of seminiferous tubule, they can engender healthy offspring. Therefore, induction of germ cells in vitro further elucidates the mechanism of the ESCs differentiating into germ cells, and lays the foundation for more effective utilization of stem cells to benefit mankind.

Key words: embryonic stem cells; germ cells; differentiation

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