In vitro culture of reptile PGCS to preserve endangered species

Abstract

Primordial germ cells (PGCs), are the source of gametes in vertebrates. There are similarities in the development of PGCs of reptiles with avian and mammalian species PGCs development. PGCs culture has been performed for avian and mammalian species but there is no report for reptilian PGCs culture. In vitro culture of PGCs is needed to produce transgenic animals, preservation of endangered animals and for studies on cell behaviour and research on fertility. Reptiles are traded as exotic pets and a source of food and they are valuable for their skin and they are useful as model for medical research. Transgenic reptile has been suggested to be useful for pet industry and medical research. In this research different aspects of PGCs development was compared in three main classes of vertebrates including mammalian, avian and reptilian species. It is proposed that a discussion on similarities between reptilian PGCs development with avian and mammalian species helps to find clues for studies of reptilian PGCs development details and finding an efficient protocol for in vitro culture of reptilian PG.

Keywords: avian; development; embryo; mammals; primordial germ cells; reptiles.