Monoclonal antibodies identifying chick gonadal cells.

1. The aim of the present study was to raise monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) which discriminate gonadal cell types in chickens. 2. A panel of 180 MAbs was generated, from which 14 were chosen for their specificity. 3. These MAbs were characterised immunohistologically on frozen sections of embryonic, newly-hatched and adult, male and female, left gonads. 4. Three of these MAbs are described: AGC5, AGC7, and AGC13 which recognise respectively germinal epithelial cells, supporting cells and germ cells. 5. These MAbs may be useful in following the developmental pathways in the chicken gonad and analysing the interactive role(s) taking place between gonadal stromal cells and primordial germ cells.