Fig. 1

Notch1 is a unique Notch receptor in chicken germ cells that regulates gonadal development. a The expression of Notch1 and Notch2 in ESCs, PGCs, and SSCs was detected by qRT-PCR. The expression of Notch1 in the three types of cells was significantly different and highest in PGCs. No significant difference in the expression of Notch2 in the three cell types was observed. b Notch1 protein expression was detected by western blot after overexpression and inhibition of NICD. DAPT was used to inhibit the expression of NICD protein level, whereas overexpression of NICD was able to rescue Notch1 protein expression. c Morphological changes in reproductive ridge development were observed after NICD overexpression or inhibition. Inhibition of NICD hindered the normal development of the reproductive ridge. Scale bar: 2 mm. d Testicular development changes were detected by H&E staining after Notch1 overexpression or inhibition. Scale bar: 150 µm