Introduction: The aims of this study were to identify and characterize primordial germ cells in the blood, genital ridge and primary gonad in turkey. In addition, we describe the histological characteristics of ovaries in the turkey embryo. Methods: The embryos from stages 14 to 31 (H&H), were studied by means of blood smear and serial sections from whole mount embryo. The primordial germ cells were identified by histochemical and immunostaining techniques. Results: The results showed that these cells could be identified by their remarkably large size, large nuclei and granules in the cytoplasm. At stages 20-21 (H&H), the alkaline phosphatase reaction was negative in these cells. Also, the primordial germ cells could not be labeled by SSEA-1 antibody in the primary gonad. We showed that these cells had negative or weakly positive staining with Alician blue in the migration phase. The presence of glycogen in the cytoplasm of the primordial germ cells was verified using both periodic acid-Schiff and Best’s Carmine methods. These cells were Best’s Carmine positive but contained reduced amounts of glycogen in the primary gonad. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the periodic acid-Schiff is the best method for identification of the turkey primordial germ cells in the blood and migration phase. Finally, we observe and report the existence of histological differences between the right and left ovaries in the turkey embryo.

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