DISTRIBUTION OF ANDROGENETIC CELLS IN FETAL MOUSE CHIMERAS

To asses the potential of androgenetic cells to participate in post-mi dgestation fetal development we have made use of an in situ detectable cell lineage marker in the analysis of chimeric mouse fetuses contain ing an androgenetic cell lineage. Our results show conclusively that a ndrogenetic cells participate in the formation of derivatives of all l ineages and in some tissues may contribute the majority of the total c ell population. However, the allocation or persistence of androgenetic cells was non-random. High contribution of androgenetic cells was obs erved in brown adipose tissue, mesenchyme, smooth muscle, perichondriu m, peripheral nerves and epithelia of the intestinal tract and the tra chea. Thus, androgenetic cells were able to efficiently populate mesod ermal, ectodermal and endodermal derivatives. In contrast, there was a clear prejudice against androgenetic cells in the brain.