ABSTRACT
The morphological and functional development of the interstitial gland was studied in crossbred ewe lambs (East Friesian x Black-Head Pleven breeds) first birth and then at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5.5 and 6 months, as well as at 1 year in anestrous ewes. Histological and histochemical (AP, NAD.H2-tetrasole reductase, G-6-PDH and delta(5)-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (delta(5)-3 beta-HSD)) methods and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied while the FSH and LH levels were measured. There was an abundance of epithelial cell cords in newborn animals, while interstitial cells were scanty. Cortical and medullary epithelial cell cords occupied an essential place in the histogenesis of ovine ovarian structures. They were clearly expressed during the whole postnatal period of the development, and showed a species specificity. The development of the interstitial gland was correlated with changes in the gonadotropic hormones. A new population of interstitial glands appeared around puberty in a similar manner to the so-called 'puberty gland' in the testis and ovary of humans and other mammals. The results suggest that in these crossbred lambs, puberty was attained between the 3rd and 4th month, and sexual maturity and 5 to 6 months of age.
Subject(s)
Aging/physiology , Animals, Newborn/physiology , Ovary/growth & development , Sheep/growth & development , 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases/analysis , 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases/metabolism , Aging/blood , Alkaline Phosphatase/analysis , Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism , Animals , Animals, Newborn/blood , Female , Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood , Follicle Stimulating Hormone/metabolism , Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/analysis , Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/metabolism , Histocytochemistry , Luteinizing Hormone/blood , Luteinizing Hormone/metabolism , NADH Tetrazolium Reductase/analysis , NADH Tetrazolium Reductase/metabolism , Ovarian Follicle/diagnostic imaging , Ovarian Follicle/growth & development , Ovary/diagnostic imaging , Ovary/enzymology , Sheep/physiology , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Histochemical study of estradiol in the guinea pig ovary using RIA antiserum revealed specific estradiol fluorescence in theca interna cells and in single cells of atretic follicles. The fluorescence intensity was highest in the estrus phase.
Subject(s)
Estradiol/metabolism , Ovary/metabolism , Animals , Estrus , Female , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Guinea Pigs , Histocytochemistry , Ovarian Follicle/cytology , Ovarian Follicle/metabolism , Ovary/cytology , Theca Cells/metabolismABSTRACT
Studies were conducted on the ovogonia of human embryos at the age of 33, 35 and 40 days. Myelin-like bodies in the nuclei and in the cytoplasm were observed. In other cases, the ovogonium contained 4-5 myelin-like bodies oriented round the centrioles. This is supposed to represent an early phase of corpus balbiani formation.
