Embryonic germ cells (EGCs) are derived from the primordial germ cells (PGCs) and represent a distinct population of cells with the potential to differentiate into both germ cell and somatic cell lineages. EGCs are initially specified during early embryonic development. In mammals, PGCs are the precursors to both sperm and egg cells. They are specified in the epiblast during gastrulation and then migrate to the developing gonads. EGCs are derived from PGCs through in vitro culture and maintenance conditions. EGCs are pluripotent stem cells, ie they have the capacity to differentiate into cells from all three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This pluripotency is like that of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). EGCs can self-renew indefinitely in culture, maintaining their pluripotent state over extended periods. This self-renewal capacity is a fundamental feature shared with ESCs and is crucial for the sustainable culture of EGCs for research and potential therapeutic applications. One of the most distinctive features of EGCs is their ability to differentiate into germ line cells, including both sperm and egg cells. This capacity makes them important for studying germ cell development, meiosis, and gametogenesis in vitro, providing insights into reproductive biology and infertility. EGCs also have the potential to differentiate into somatic cell types from all three germ layers. This versatility allows them to be used in a wide range of applications, including disease modelling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. EGCs, like other pluripotent stem cells, exhibit genomic stability. They have mechanisms to maintain genomic integrity, reducing the risk of genetic mutations or chromosomal abnormalities during cell culture and differentiation processes. EGCs possess robust DNA repair mechanisms to correct DNA damage and maintain genomic integrity. Key DNA repair pathways include base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair, mismatch repair, and double-strand break repair (homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining). EGCs express key pluripotency markers, including Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and SSEA-1, critical for maintaining their undifferentiated state and self-renewal capacity. Moreover, EGCs exhibit epigenetic plasticity and can undergo reprogramming to establish a new epigenetic landscape when exposed to specific differentiation cues, a vital feature for directing EGCs to differentiate into various cell types. EGCs have also been shown to possess immune-privileged properties, making them potentially suitable for transplantation. Germ cells typically do not express MHC class I and II molecules, the key components involved in antigen presentation to immune cells. In addition, in males, germ cells develop within the testes, sequestered from the bloodstream by the blood-testis barrier (BTB) which consists of tight junctions between Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules, creating a physical barrier that prevents immune cells and antibodies from accessing germ cells. This isolation helps protect developing sperm cells from immune recognition. EGCs have significant research and therapeutic potential. They can be used to study germ cell biology, model genetic disorders, and develop reproductive technologies. Moreover, EGCs may hold promise for regenerative medicine, including the generation of gametes for fertility preservation and treatment of infertility. We offer a comprehensive product range of research reagents for studying embryonic germ cells, including c-Kit antibodies, SOX2 antibodies, Oct4 antibodies, BMP15 antibodies, and c-Kit ELISA Kits. Explore our full embryonic germ cells product range below and discover more, for less.