Histochemical and Chemical Studies of the Autonomic Innervation of the Ovary

Abstract

The adrenergic innervation of ovaries of humans, cats and [squirrel] monkeys was studied by a histochemical fluorescence method. Catecholamine-containing nerves were observed in close proximity to blood vessels and within the stromal fibromuscular tissue. The cat ovary contained a dense number of adrenergic nerves. A moderate innervation was seen in the human and fewer nerves in the monkey. Chemical determinations of norepinephrine in the ovaries were consistent with the histochemical observations of the density of catecholamine-containing nerve fibers. Cholinergic nerves were studied by a histochemical method for acetylcholinesterase. Comparatively fewer cholinergic nerves were observed in the ovaries. It is suggested that the adrenergic innervation to the ovary has an influence on ovulation.