SCROTAL ALLOGRAFTS OF FETAL OVARIES

  • 1 January 1975
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 120  (DEC) , 595-599
Abstract
A study of the possible influence of low temperature conditions on the differentiation of the immature mammalian ovary was made using allografts of 17-day rat fetal ovaries into the bottom of the scrotal wall of adult rats. The animals used were highly inbred for 25-30 generations. The temperature was measured by a thermocouple built into 2 sharp needles and converted into degrees centigrade using a previously calibrated table. The temperature in the bottom of the scrotum was 3.degree. C lower than that in the abdominal cavity. Of 25 allografts in normal and 25 in castrated males, 5 did not take and 11 were rejected by allograft reaction. The remaining 34, which were reasonably tolerated, showed, whether the hosts were castrated or not, suppression of the cortical part of the ovary and stimulation of the medullary part, as evidenced by development of well-organized seminiferous tubules. This is presumably a reaction to the relatively cool environment of the scrotal wall.