Segregation of Primordial Germ Cells from the Endoderm of the Early Xenopus Embryo by Applying Fibronectin, an Extracellular Matrix, in vitro: (in vitro culture/endodermal mass/extracellular matrix/primordial germ cells/Xenopus laevis).

Two in vitro culture systems were used in order to identify Xenopus primordial germ cells in the early stages of their migration through the endodermal mass. For this study, whole endodermal mass and dissociated endodermal cells were cultured on fibronectin substrates. In the early stages of the explantation, each system used permits the spotting of particular cells among somatic endodermal cells.

Evolution of Xenopus endodermal cells cultured on different extracellular matrix components. Identification of primordial germ cells.

Plated on untreated glass substrate, Xenopus endodermal cells are unable to undergo any morphological or cytological differentiation. Culture on artificial substrates prepared with components of the extracellular matrix, the endodermal cell behavior is entirely different. To identify the primordial germ cells (PGC), we use three coated substrate types: fibronectin, collagen and collagen plus fibronectin.