Objective To analyse the expression levels of Oct-4 and human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT) in human primordial germ cells (PGCs) which were isolated at different fetus ages. Methods The expressions of both Oct-4 and hTERT were detected by RT-PCR. The gonadal ridges of human embryos were embedded with paraffine and sliced, and stained with HE. The morphology of the human primordial germ cells was observed. The gonadal ridges were analyzed for the expression of Oct-4 and hTERT through immunohistochemistry. Results There were a few PGCs in the gonadal ridges in the sixth to the seventh week of gestation, and both Oct-4 and hTERT were expressed in the PGCs. The PGCs with Oct-4 and hTERT positive staining increased in number in week 8 to 12 of gestation (P<0.05). The PGCs decreased in number and the Oct4 immunostaining intensity in PGCs declined, but the hTERT was still expressed in PGCs in the thirteenth week of gestation. Conclusion The immunostaining intensity of Oct-4 varies with different stages of development and is the highest during week 8 through 12 There was no obviously change on the expression of hTERT.