Cytological observations of the ovarian epithelium in mammals during the reproductive cycle

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Abstract
Ovarian epithelium was studied at various stages of the reproductive cycle in a number of mammalian species [rat, mouse, hamster, rabbit] utilizing light microscopy, scanning microscopy, the freeze-fracture technique, transmission microscopy and by employing specialized tracers that used La and horseradish peroxidase. Epithelial cells were joined by incomplete tight junctions, gap junctions and desmosomes. The cytoplasmic matrix contained a large irregularly shaped nucleus, few microtubules, micorfilaments, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and a host of coated and non-coated vesicles of varying diameters. The saccules comprising the large Golgi complex and its companion vesicles were associated with a basal body-centriole complex; some of these saccules and affiliated vesicles were acid phosphatase positive. Surface modifications of ovarian epithelial cells included numerous microvilli, some of which had a bulbous tip, and plications of the lateral plasma membrane which were thought to accommodate volume changes of the ovary during follicular development. Many coated and non-coated endocytotic caveolae were found on these cells, particularly in the basal area. These caveolae internalized exogeneously administered horseradish peroxidase. The marked endocytotic activity was viewed as an efficient transport mechanism for partially removing substances from the interstitium of the ovary and the peritoneum.