MENSTRUATION IN PITHECUS (MACACUS) RHESUS FOLLOWING BILATERAL AND UNILATERAL OVARIECTOMY PERFORMED EARLY IN THE CYCLE

Abstract

In 7 monkeys, excision of both ovaries early in the cycle (3rd-10th day, and in one instance on the 13th day) was followed by menstruation after an interyal of 5 or 6 days. In amount and duration the sanguineous discharge was not distinguishable from the normal menses of the individual animal. Histological examination of the ovaries showed that bleeding could occur in the absence of a mature follicle or young corpus luteum. Menstruation from an endometrium of interval type occurred in animals operated upon the 4th and 5th days of the cycle. Removal of a single ovary on the 4th day of the cycle was followed in 1 case by menstruation on the 4th day following the operation but in another animal no post-operative menstruation occurred. Both bilateral and unilateral ovariectomy failed to induce bleeding when performed on the 1st day of menstruation.