Abstract Primordial germ cells (PGCs) were isolated from the genital ridges of chicken (Gallus domesticus) embryos at the 19th stage. PGCs were co-cultured with somatic cells in primary culture and subculture. Identification of PGCs was carried out by immunocytochemical methods for c-kit. In addition, PGCs were induced to differentiate into neuronal cells, epithelial and skeletal muscle cells by changing the culture conditions. The immunological characteristic of the differentiated cells could be identified by neuron specific enolase and keratin immunocytochemical staining. The above results indicated that chicken PGCs could differentiate into neuronal cells, epithelial and skeleton muscle cells in vitro.
