First report on the cytological investigation of cancer : 1906 / by J.E.S. Moore and C.E. Walker.

  • Moore, J. E. S.
Date:
[1906]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: First report on the cytological investigation of cancer : 1906 / by J.E.S. Moore and C.E. Walker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    130/136 (page 86)
    It will be found that there are, among the undifferentiated cells in the early embryo testis of mammals, forms of division where the chromosomes are apparently reduced in number and different in shape to what is seen in ordinary somatic division. These closely resemble what has been described as a second maiotic (homotype) division figure (figs. 18 to 21) proceeding Appendix. It has been shown by one of us* that this form of division is very common in leucocytes in bone marrow, and lymphatic glands. While we have occasionally seen somatic division figures among these undifferentiated cells of the embryo testis, this form of reduced division is by far more common. In the male ova themselves at this stage the only mitotic figures we have seen have been typically somatic, and it is hardly possible to confuse the one kind of cell with the other. The fact that we have what are apparently second maiotic divisions in cells which are obviously not destined to become sexual cells is in itself very suggestive, but when we come to compare the cells in which this happens with cells that are undoubtedly leucocytic in character, the suggestion is very much strengthened (figs. 35 and 36). We use the term leucocyte in the widest sense, and under it include all the wandering cells of the body. Our conclusion is, therefore, that the foot-cells of the testis and the cells forming the walls of the tubules or pockets have immediately common ancestors, and that if these cells are not identical with certain stages in the series of leucocytic generations, they are derived from cells that were identical not more than two or three generations before. * C. E. Walker, “Observations on the Life History of Leucocytes,” ‘Proc. R.S 1906.