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Immunoexpression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), cytochrome P450c17 (P450c17), androgen receptor (AR), and steroid contents were studied in the ovaries of immature female Wistar rats killed between postnatal days 1 and 30. During days 1-7, ovarian somatic structures lacked AR, 3β-HSD and P450c17, except for the surface epithelium, which featured the presence of these three proteins, suggestive of its androgen responsiveness and steroidogenic function. On day 10, AR appeared in many somatic structures, including the granulosa layers, which coincided with the P450c17 immunoexpression in some theca/interstitial cells, and an increase in ovarian androgen concentration. On the following days a further rise in ovarian androgen and progesterone contents paralleled an increase in 3β-HSD and P450c17 immunoexpression in the theca layer cells and primary interstitial cells. However, the development of the follicles constituting the first follicular wave was aberrant, since they lacked AR expression until the preantral stage and were characterized by a delayed onset and much lower expression of the thecal P450c17. They could not ovulate, since ovarian content of estradiol was too low to evoke the LH surge. The clusters of the secondary interstitial cells found on day 30 exhibited predominant expression of 3β-HSD over P450c17, suggesting more intensive progesterone than androgen synthesis in these structures., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

In previous investigations we could demonstrate that angiitis or angiolytic changes of the vascular wall with loosening or duplication of the basement membrane may be caused by a low calcium diet. In this paper we present experiments using the same experimental procedures which lead to massive necrotic changes of granulosa cells in the ovary. These phenomena are thought to be induced by loosening and swelling of the basement membrane which delimits the granulosa layers from the outermost tissue.

An ovary from a syngenic newborn donor was grafted into each ear of 9 ovariectomized and 3 intact adult female DA strain rats. Cycling resumed in ovariectomized animals after an average interval of 24 days. The average duration of the resumed cycles was 6 days. The histology and ultrastructure of grafted ovaries are compared with those of normal ones. Thecal cells became luteinized in grafted ovaries. The ultrastructure of interstitial tissue cells from grafted ovaries reflects increased specialization for steroidogenesis.

Ovaries from 30 bats were investigated. The left ovary is atrophic in Otomops martiensseni. The histology and ultrastructure of the right ovary are described. The corpus luteum degenerates during early pregnancy. The interstitial gland tissue is well developed.

The ultrastructural localization and the activity changes of adenylate cyclase (AC) were studied in the ovarian compartments of sexually mature ground squirrels (Citellus citellus L.), during the both stages of hibernation (October to December and January to February), after awakening (March) and after gonadotropin (PMSG and HCG) intraperitoneal application during the both above mentioned stages. AC activity was found to be localized on the plasma membranes of theca interna, interstitial, and granulosa cells in ground squirrel ovary. The cytochemical observations presented demonstrate significant AC activity changes in ground squirrel ovary during hibernation, after awakening gonadotrophin treatment and lend support to the concept of AC-cAMP system participation in the gonadotrophin hormone action on the ovary.