Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Embryology and Congenital Malformations of the Female Genital Tract

  • Chapter
Pathology of the Female Genital Tract

Abstract

In mammalian embryos the first indication of sex differentiation appears in the form of the primordial germ cells. Although considerable controversy has long existed on whether these cells arise within the gonad or in an extragonadal site, it is now generally accepted that they originate in the wall of the yolk sac close to the allantois8,27,30 (Fig. 1.1a). From various experimental and histochemical studies5,24 it has been concluded that the germ cell line begins with the primordial germ cells and that these cells appear at an early stage of development in the yolk sac entoderm. Subsequently they are incorporated into the wall of the hindgut and finally migrate through the dorsal mesentery to the gonadal ridges. In these ridges they multiply, differentiate, and give rise to the definitive germ cells (Fig. 1.1b). Hence, the early primordial germ cells form a continuous cell line from early embryonic development to the definitive germ cells in the adult stages of life.13

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Blandau RJ, White BJ, Rumery RE (1963) Observations on the movements of the living primordial germ cells in the mouse. Fertil Steril 14: 482

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Bulmer D (1957) The development of the human vagina. J Anat 91: 490

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Burns RK Jr (1956) Hormones versus constitutional factors in the growth of embryonic sex primordia in the opossum. Am J Anat 98: 35

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Carr DH, Haggar RA, Hart AG (1968) Germ cells in the ovaries of XO female infants. Am J Clin Pathol 49: 521

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Chiquoine AD (1954) The identification, origin and migration of the primordial germ cells in the mouse embryo. Anat Rec 118: 135

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Clark JM, Eddy EM (1975) Fine structural observations on the origin and associations of primordial germ cells of the mouse. Dev Biol 47: 136

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Eddy EM, Clark JM (1975) Electron microscopic study of migrating primordial germ cells in the rat. In: Hess M (ed) Electron microscopic concepts of secretion. The ultrastructure of endocrine and reproductive organs. New York, Wiley, pp 151–168

    Google Scholar 

  8. Everett NB (1945) The present status of the germ cell problem in vertebrates. Biol Rev 26: 45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Forsberg JG (1973) The cervicovaginal epithelium: Its origin and development. Am J Obstet Gynecol 115: 1025

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Forsberg JG (1974) Induction of conditions leading to cancer in the genital tract by estrogen during the differentiation phase of the genital epithelium. In: Raspe G, Bernhard S (eds). Hormones and embryonic development: Advances in the biosciences. Oxford, Pergamon, p 139

    Google Scholar 

  11. Forsberg JG (1976) Morphogenesis and differentiation of the cervicovaginal epithelium. In: Jordan J, Singer A (eds). The cervix. London, WB Saunders, p 3

    Google Scholar 

  12. Forsberg JG, Abro A (1971) Ultrastructural differences between the sinus and the Mullerian epithelium of the mouse vaginal anlage. Zeit F Anat Entwicklungs. 135: 67

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Franchi LL, Mandl AM, Zuckerman S (1962) The development of the ovary and the process of oogenesis. In: Zuckerman S, Mandl AM, Eckstein P (eds) The ovary. London, Academic Press, Vol 1, pp 1–87

    Google Scholar 

  14. Gillman J (1948) The development of the gonads in man, with a consideration of the role of fetal endocrines and the histogenesis of ovarian tumors. Contrib Embryol 32: 81

    Google Scholar 

  15. Gropp A, Ohno S (1966) The presence of a common embryonic blastema for ovarian and testicular parenchymal (follicular, interstitial and tubular) cells in cattle, Bos taurus. Z Zellforsch 74: 505

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hamerton JL (1971) Human cytogenetics, Vol 1. Clinical cytogenetics. New York, Academic Press

    Google Scholar 

  17. Hayles AB, Nolan RB Masculinization of female fetus, possibly related to administration of progesterone during pregnancy: Report of two cases. Proc Staff Mtg Mayo Clin 33: 200

    Google Scholar 

  18. Hiersche JD (1970) Funktionelle Morphologie des fetalen und kindlichen cervicalen Drunsenfeldes im Uterus. Ergeb Anat Entwicklungs 43: 1

    Google Scholar 

  19. Holyoke EA, Beber BA (1958) Cultures of gonads of mammalian embryos. Science 128: 1082

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Jost A (1971) Embryonic sexual differentiation (morphology, physiology, abnormalities). In: Jones H Jr, Scott WW (eds) Hermaphroditism, genital anomalies and related endocrine disorders, 2nd ed. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins, p 16

    Google Scholar 

  21. Lillie FR (1916) The theory of the free-martin. Science 43: 611

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Lillie FR (1922) The etiology of the freemartin. Vet Rec 2: 167

    Google Scholar 

  23. McKelvey JL, Baxter JS (1935) Abnormal development of the vagina and genitourinary tract. Am J Obstet Gynecol 29: 267

    Google Scholar 

  24. Mintz B, Russell ES (1957) Gene-induced embryo-logical modifications of primordial germ cells in the mouse. J Exptl Zool 134: 207

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Mossman HW (1973) The embryology of the cervix. In: Blandau R, Moghissi K (eds). The biology of the cervix. Chicago, University of Chicago Press

    Google Scholar 

  26. Müller J (1930) Bildungsgeschichte der genitalien aus anatomischen Untersuchungen an embryonen des menschen und der thiere. Dusseldorf, Arnz.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Nieuwkoop PD (1949) The present status of the problem of the “Keimbahn” in the vertebrates. Experientia 5: 308

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. O’Rahilly R (1973) The embryology and Anatomy of the uterus. In: Norris H, Hertig A (eds). The uterus. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins

    Google Scholar 

  29. Ozdzenski W (1967) Observations on the origin of primordial germ cells in the mouse. Zool Pol 17: 367

    Google Scholar 

  30. Pinkerton JHM, McKay DG, Adams C, Hertig AT (1961) Development of the human ovary—A study using histochemical techniques. Obstet Gynecol 18: 152

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Schlegel RJ, Gardner LI Ambiguous and abnormal genitalia in infants: Differential diagnosis and clinical management. In: Gardner LI (ed) Endocrine and genetic diseases of childhood. Philadelphia, WB Saunders

    Google Scholar 

  32. Spiegelman M, Bennett D (1973) A light- and electron-microscopic study of primordial germ cells in the early mouse embryo. J Embryol Exptl Morphol 30: 97

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Walker BE (1980) Reproductive tract anomalies in mice after prenatal exposure to DES. Teratology 21: 313

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Wilkins L (1950) The Diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders in childhood and adolescence. Springfield, Ill., Charles C Thomas

    Google Scholar 

  35. Wilkins L (1957) Diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders in childhood and adolescence, 2nd ed. Springfield, Ill., Charles C Thomas

    Google Scholar 

  36. Witschi E (1948) Migration of the germ cells of human embryos from the yolk sac to the primitive gonadal folds. Contrib Embryol Carnegie Inst 32: 67

    Google Scholar 

  37. Witschi E (1951) Embryogenesis of the adrenal and the reproductive glands. Recent Prog Horm Res 6: 1

    Google Scholar 

  38. Witschi E (1956) Development of vertebrates. Philadelphia, WB Saunders

    Google Scholar 

  39. Witschi E (1962) Embryology of the ovary. In: Grady HG, Smith DE (eds) The ovary. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins, pp 1–10

    Google Scholar 

  40. Witschi, E (1967) Biochemistry of sex differentiation in vertebrate embryos. In: Weber R (ed) The biochemistry of animal development. New York, Academic Press, Vol 2, pp 193–225

    Google Scholar 

  41. Zamboni L, Merchant H (1973) The fine morphology of mouse primordial germ cells in extragonadal locations. Am J Anat 137: 299

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Jan Langman M.D., Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Doris Burda Wilson Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. New York University School of Medicine, USA

    Ancel Blaustein M.D. (Clinical Professor of Pathology, Director of Laboratories) (Clinical Professor of Pathology, Director of Laboratories)

  2. Booth Memorial Hospital, USA

    Ancel Blaustein M.D. (Clinical Professor of Pathology, Director of Laboratories) (Clinical Professor of Pathology, Director of Laboratories)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1982 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Langman, J., Wilson, D.B. (1982). Embryology and Congenital Malformations of the Female Genital Tract. In: Blaustein, A. (eds) Pathology of the Female Genital Tract. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1767-9_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1767-9_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-1769-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-1767-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation