Primordial germ cells (PGCs) arise elsewhere in the embryo and migrate into developing gonadal ridges during embryonic development. In several model animals, formation and migration patterns of PGCs have been studied, and it is known that these patterns vary. Sturgeons (genus Acipenser) have great potential for comparative and evolutionary studies of development. Sturgeons belong to the super class Actinoptergii, and their developmental pattern is similar to that of amphibians, although their phylogenetic position is an out-group to teleost fishes. Here, we reveal an injection technique for sturgeon eggs allowing visualization of germplasm and PGCs. Using this technique, we demonstrate that the PGCs are generated at the vegetal pole of the egg and they migrate on the yolky cell mass toward the gonadal ridge. We also provide evidence showing that PGCs are specified by inheritance of maternally supplied germplasm. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the migratory mechanism is well-conserved between sturgeon and other remotely related teleosts, such as goldfish, by a single PGCs transplantation (SPT) assay. The mode of PGCs specification in sturgeon is similar to that of anurans, but the migration pattern resembles that of teleosts.

Department of Biology Faculty of Science Kobe University Kobe Japan

Laboratory of Aquaculture Biology Faculty of Fisheries Sciences Hokkaido University Hakodate Japan

Laboratory of Aquaculture Genetics and Genomics Faculty of Fisheries Sciences Hokkaido University Hakodate Japan

Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice Vodňany Czech Republic

Nanae Fresh Water Laboratory Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere Hokkaido University Nanae Japan

Nanae Fresh Water Laboratory Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere Hokkaido University Nanae Japan ; Laboratory of Aquaculture Genetics and Genomics Faculty of Fisheries Sciences Hokkaido University Hakodate Japan ; Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice Vodňany Czech Republic

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