File:Fetal adrenal ectopic germ cells 01.jpg

Germ cells in first trimester human fetal adrenals

Histological sections of human adrenals (and adjacent kidney) in first trimester male (W10) and female (W13). (A,B) Germ cells were identified by expression of POU5F1 (red) and/or DDX4 (green). (C,D) DDX4+ (green) germ cells do not express H2AFX (red), however, many H2AFX+ cells were present in the adrenals (white arrows). (E,F) DDX4+ (red) germ cells were not TUNEL-positive (green), however, many TUNEL+ cells were present in the adrenals (white arrows). Note the presence of autofluorescent red blood cells. Some germ cells are highlighted in dotted boxes. Magnified views of dotted boxes are shown as inserts and the insert number corresponds to its location. Scale bars are 200 µm in A,B,E,F, 100 µm in C,D and 20 µm in all inserts.