Effects of Ultraviolet Irradiation on the Migratory Ability of Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs) in the Domestic Chicken

Abstract

The effect of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the ability of primordial germ cells (PGCs) to migrate toward the gonadal ridge was investigated in the domestic chicken. When PGCs were irradiated with UV (254nm, 0.9±0.1μW/cm2) the extent of nuclear damage, as determined by the comet assay, was positively correlated with the duration of UV irradiation in the range from 0 to 60 seconds. However, no further increase in nuclear damage was detected when the duration of UV irradiation was extended from 60 to 120 seconds. To evaluate the migratory ability of PGCs after UV irradiation, 15 fluorescent-labeled PGCs were transferred into the vascular system of 2-day-old embryos and the fluorescent-labeled PGCs present in the gonads of recipient embryos were counted 5 days later. When the duration of UV irradiation was less than 60 seconds, the number of fluorescent-labeled PGCs found in the gonads of the recipient embryos exceeded the number of transferred PGCs. In conclusion, the ability of PGCs to migrate toward the developing gonad is retained after exposure to UV irradiation that causes apparent damage to the nucleus.