EFFECT OF HYPOPHYSECTOMY AT THE BEGINNING OF PROESTRUS ON MATURING FOLLICLES IN THE OVARY OF THE RAT1

Abstract
The response to an injn. of human chorionic gonadotropin and the relationship of this operation to atretic changes in the most mature follicles were studied. The maturing follicles lost their ability to ovulate by 8-12 hrs. following removal of the pituitary but histologically detectable atretic changes were not observed until 19 hrs. following the operation. Following hypophysectomy the maturing follicles lost their ability to ovulate several hrs. before they lost their ability to luteinize in response to an injd. gonadotropin.