Prolifération des cellules germinales fœtales, état en 1993

Abstract

The evolution of foetal germ cell number is well known, but the mechanisms of control of germ cell proliferation are poorly understood. In the recent years, the pituitary-adrenalo-thymic axis has been involved: thymulin, a thymic factor, increases foetal germ cell proliferation. In addition, corticosterone prevents the thymus from secreting thymulin in vitro and in these conditions the thymus does not stimulate the germ cell proliferation. Furthermore germinostatic factor, produced in vitro by fetal testis and follicular cells from rat prepubertal females activates or inhibits gonia proliferation respectively. These results and the role of other substances suspected of acting on foetal germ cell proliferation or degeneration are discussed.