Precocious initiation of meiosis by male germ cells of the mouse.

Abstract

12 1/2-15 1/2 day embryonic mouse testes of 129/terSv and CBA/T6T6 strains were transplanted under the kidney capsule of adult hosts. After 3-5 days in 41% of CBA/T6T6 transplants and in 82% of 129/terSv transplants a limit number of germ cells began meiosis. The percentage of meiotic germ cells was inversely related to the total number of gonocytes and the organization of seminiferous cords. The presented evidence indicates that the ability of the germ cells to begin meiosis precociously depends on: 1) genotype of donor embryos; 2) age of transplanted testis, and 3) using whole of half of gonad for transplantation. After 10-15 days in two out of 46 129/terSv testes (4%) growing oocytes were observed.