Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the embryonic precursors of the sperm and …

• Abstract
• Background
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• Methods
• Miscellaneous
• References
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In summary, HMGCR and its downstream products isoprenoids and cholesterol are required for mammalian PGC survival and motility in organ culture. However, in vivo support for this awaits the development of a system for efficiently manipulating cholesterol levels in utero. The role of HMGCR and isoprenoids in PGC migration has been well established in fly and zebrafish systems but this is the first study reporting a role for cholesterol in this process. Additionally, we have demonstrated that cholesterol preferentially accumulates in the genital ridges. This observation suggests that cholesterol may play a non-cell autonomous role in PGC development by either controlling secretion of growth factors required for PGC migration or by regulating development of the somatic support cells of the gonads. This study provides insight into how changes in cholesterol (through diet or genetics) might contribute to changes in development that ultimately impact fertility later in life.