Observations on Ovulation in the Rabbit

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Abstract
Ovulation has been directly observed in the anaesthetised rabbit. The follicle ruptures, on the average, about 10 hr. after coitus but there is some variation and all follicles do not rupture simultaneously. Ovulation is not the invariable consequence of the normal growth of the follicles and, although confined to those which are mature, is independent of the actual size attained. Ovulation is accompanied by increased vascularity of the follicle. The principal cause of rupture is the rapid distension of the follicle by marked secretory activity. The ovum is carried out in the flow of this secretion. Ovulation in the rabbit is initiated by some component of the orgasm which accompanies coitus rather than by the mechanical stimulus of the penis or the presence of semen in the vagina. Corpora lutea are not formed if the follicle is ruptured artificially and this effect is not due to operative trauma but to the absence of some effect of coitus necessary for the formation of the luteal tissue. Artificial rupture or ablation of ripe follicles is followed by an immediate compensatory growth of new follicles. Blood follicles formed from those artificially ruptured do not inhibit this compensatory growth.