Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Specification of germ cells in mice occurs relatively late in embryonic development. It is initiated by signals that induce expression of Blimp1, a key regulator of the germ cell, in a few epiblast cells of early postimplantation embryos. Blimp1 represses the incipient somatic program in these cells and promotes progression toward the germ cell fate. Blimp1 may also have a role in the maintenance of early germ cell characteristics by ensuring their escape from the somatic fate as well as possible reversion to pluripotent stem cells.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Hayashi et al. (2007) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: