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Abstract
The manipulation of PGCs has the potential to be a powerful method in creating an efficient system of transgenesis in birds. Here, we characterize nonadherent PGCs cultured long term in vitro that retain the ability to migrate to the gonad. To characterize, several lectins including STL, DBA, ConA, WGA, MAA, SBA, PNA, and RCA were used. Two lines of cPGCs and a line of CEFs were analyzed, one PGC line expressing a mixed population of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and another negative for CXCR4. The cells were stained to determine if a lectin binding profile could predict migratory potential. Both lines of PGCs were positive for STL, ConA, WGA, MAA, and RCA while negative for DBA, SBA, and PNA. CEFs were positive for STL, ConA, WGA, and MAA and negative for DBA, SBA, PNA, and RCA. These results indicate that RCA could potentially be a marker for migration in PGCs.