On the role of germ cells in planarian regeneration

Specimens from a polyploid biotype of Dugesia lugubris s.l. were used to clarify the role and fate of germ cells during planarian regeneration. These specimens provide a useful karyological marker because embryonic and somatic cells (3n = 12) can be easily distinguished from male (2n = 8) and female (6n = 24) germ cells by their chromosome number. We succeed in demonstrating how primordial germ cells participate in blastema formation and take part in rebuilding somatic tissues. This evidence was obtained by cutting each planarian specimen twice at appropriate levels. The first aimed to induce primordial germ cells to migrate to the wound. The second cut was performed after complete regeneration and aimed to obtain a blastema from a cephalic or caudal area devoid of gonads. A karyological analysis of mitotic cells present in each blastema obtained after the second cut provided evidence that cells, originally belonging to the germ lines, are still present in somatic tissues even months after complete regeneration. The role of primordial germ cells in planarian regeneration was finally discussed in relation to the phenomenon of metaplasia or transdifferentiation.