Proliferation of follicular cells and the effect of FSH on the onset of follicular growth in the ovary of 30-day old rabbits studied by continuous labelling with 3H-thymidine

Mammalian females are endowed with a finite number of primordial follicles at birth or shortly thereafter. Immediately following the formation of the primordial follicle pool, cohorts of these follicles are recruited to begin growth, and this recruitment continues until the primordial follicle population is depleted. Once recruited, a follicle will either grow and ovulate or undergo atresia. Follicle atresia results from the apoptotic death of follicular cells. Members of the BCL-2 family of proteins are important regulators of apoptosis in most cells including in the ovary. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the proapoptotic BAX is an important regulator of follicle survival. We used a variety of histological and biochemical techniques to investigate the impact ofBaxdeletion on follicle growth and death. We observed that theBaxdeletion results in delayed vaginal opening and altered follicular growth. Young adultBax-deficient ovaries contained increased numbers of primordial follicles and a trend towards reduced numbers of growing follicles.Baxdeficiency led to a reduction in average litter size, and also a reduction in the number of oocytes ovulated in response to exogenous gonadotropins. In contrast,Baxdeficiency did not alter follicle atresia. In conclusion, BAX appears to be an important regulator of follicle growth, but is dispensable for follicle atresia in mice.

Download Full-text

Ultrastructure and morphometry of ovarian follicles in the armadillo Chaetophractus villosus (Mammalia, Dasypodidae)

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/s1519-69842001000300019 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 61 (3) ◽

pp. 485-496 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. M. CODÓN ◽

S. G. ESTECONDO ◽

E. J. GALÍNDEZ ◽

E. B. CASANAVE

Keyword(s):

Granulosa Cells ◽

Intercellular Junctions ◽

Cell Types ◽

Follicular Growth ◽

Follicular Cells ◽

Follicle Growth ◽

Biphasic Pattern ◽

Secondary Stage ◽

Mitochondrial Number ◽

Morphometrical Study

Ultrastructural and morphometric changes in oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells during armadillo follicular growth are described. Primordial, intermediary, early and late primary, secondary, tertiary and preovulatory Graafian follicles were found. From primordial to Graafian follicle, granulosa cells increase in height, become multilayered while fluid-filled spaces arise among them in the tertiary follicle stage. As the follicle expands the oocyte is located eccentrically and grows in size. From primordial to secondary stage organelles develop in number and complexity and many vesicles start arising in the cytoplasm at the secondary stage. From tertiary follicle stage the number of mitochondria decreases. In follicular cells, secreting-related organelles expand, but mitochondrial number decreases according to the follicle expansion. Intercellular junctions between both cell types increase. The morphometrical study shows a biphasic pattern of oocyte and follicle growth. The morphological baseline here provided will be essential for further comprehension of the reproductive biology in armadillos.

Download Full-text

Pituitary Follicular Cells: Their Origin, Possible Function and Fate

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100050184 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 32 ◽

pp. 34-35

Author(s):

E. Horvath ◽

K. Kovacs ◽

G. Penz ◽

C. Ezrin

Keyword(s):

Fine Structure ◽

Secretory Granules ◽

Follicular Cells ◽

Human Pituitary ◽

Rat Pituitary ◽

Pituitary Glands ◽

Junctional Complexes

Follicular structures, in the rat pituitary, composed of cells joined by junctional complexes and possessing few organelles and few, if any, secretory granules, were first described by Farquhar in 1957. Cells of the same description have since been observed in several species including man. The importance of these cells, however, remains obscure. While studying human pituitary glands, we have observed wide variations in the fine structure of follicular cells which may lead to a better understanding of their morphogenesis and significance.

Download Full-text

NEW DATA CONCERNING THE ROLE PLAYED BY PROGESTERONE IN THE CONTROL OF FOLLICULAR GROWTH IN THE RAT

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.0750569 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 75 (3) ◽

pp. 569-578 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

G. Buffler ◽

S. Roser

Keyword(s):

Wistar Rats ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Oestrous Cycle ◽

Female Rats ◽

Cycle Duration ◽

Follicular Growth ◽

The Third ◽

Female Wistar Rats

ABSTRACT The mechanisms involved in the prolongation of the oestrous cycle following LH administration were studied in 4-day cyclic female Wistar rats. In females injected with LH on the morning of dioestrus I there was an increase in ovarian venous blood progesterone as compared with non-injected animals. In both LH-treated females, and those injected with progesterone on the morning of dioestrus I, a slowing up in follicular growth was observed from the afternoon of dioestrus I. The size of follicles greater than 400 urn present in LH or progesterone injected animals on the third day of cycle was similar to the size reached by the same range of follicles in non-injected animals on the second day of the cycle. Hence, the increase in endogenous ovarian progesterone elicited by LH was considered as the cause of the slowing up of follicular growth and therefore of the lengthening of the oestrous cycle duration in female rats injected with LH at the beginning of 4-day cycle.

Download Full-text