The Pole Cells of Diptera, Their Fate and Significance

Abstract

Only approximately 1/2 of the pole cells of Drosophila melanogaster are eventually included in the gonads. The non-included pole cells were followed in sections of timed embryos stained by Bodian technic. These cells come to take a position at the anterior edge of the posterior mid-gut rudiment. They form 2 groups at the union of the mid-gut rudiments[long dash]the level of one of the 1st constrictions. These cells form the inner epithelium at this level, the region of acid secretion. The pole cells are thus potential, but not completely determined, germ cells; some have another fate.