Establishment of the germ cell lineage in mammals

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Abstract
The germ cell lineage in mice becomes lineage‐restricted about 7.2 days post coitum. Its progenitors have migrated from the proximal region of the epiblast. Cells from the distal region of the epiblast will also give rise to germ cells, if they are transplanted to the proximal region at the appropriate time. Cells in this region are subject to a predisposing signal from the adjacent extra‐embryonic ectoderm. It appears that this and other signals determine the emergence of germ cells: unlike in some other organisms, this event is not predetermined. J. Cell. Physiol. 182:141–143, 2000.