Single-cell transcriptomic profiling of chicken and zebra finch HH28 gonadal cultures and Bulk timecourse mRNA profiling of zebra finch HH28 gonadal cultures

However, their long-term culture remains a challenge beyond a few poultry species. Here, we compare the transcriptomic impact and reproductive viability between short- and long-term chicken and zebra finch gonadal PGC culture protocols.

Using single-cell transcriptomics, we identified rapid germline differentiation in zebra finch gonadal cultures compared to stable PGC identity in chicken, highlighting divergent signaling pathway responses to in vitro germline culture between species. These differentiation profiles were similarly found in low-serum zebra finch blood PGC cultures. Nonetheless, injections of these short-term zebra finch gonadal PGC cultures demonstrated sufficient gonadal reconstitution of host embryos to produce zebra finch germline chimeras and donor-derived offspring.