A COMPARATIVE HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF THE OVARIAN STROMAL LIPID BAND, STROMAL THECA CELL, AND NORMAL OVARIAN FOLLICULAR APPARATUS

I N A P R E v I 0 u s study of the stromal theta cell1 a peculiar accumulation of lipid was noted in the stromal spindle cells (the ovarian “fibroblasts”) forming a band just below the surface of the ovary. The distribution and location were different from those of the polygonal stromal theta cells, called luteinized stromal cells by Scully,” and there was no connection with the follicular apparatus. In the same study,l evidence was presented that a spindle form of the stromal theta cell was an early stage in the development of the polygonal form. Since the presence of lipid in the ovary appeared to be intimately connected with the synthesis of the steroid hormones, it was thought appropriate to compare the stromal spindle cells forming the lipid band with the stromal theta cells and the theta interna cells which are also derived from morphologically similar stromal spindle cells. Methods ap