Question

When Do Primordial Germ Cells Move To Develop Gonads?

Answer 1

Primordial Germ Cells: These are the precursors of gonads in the body.

1. They begin migrating between days 8-9 of early embryogenesis.
2. They migrate to a region of the embryo called the genital ridge.
3. Thus, they lie beneath the dorsal mesentery of the body.
4. From the dorsal mesentery, they migrate to the gonadal ridge by the fifth week of embryogenesis.
5. They undergo meiotic divisions to produce gametes.
6. Spermatogenesis occurs in males and oogenesis in females.
7. In females, the division is arrested at the prophase I until menarche whereby an egg is released every month during the menstrual cycle.
8. The fertilization of mature sperm and an egg forms a zygote.