Ovarian Activity in Mammals Subsequent to Chemical Injury of Cortex

Abstract

Ovaries from 4 spp. of mammals, having widely differing lengths of estrus cycles, have been treated prior to sexual maturity with collodion-salicylic acid soln. in order to cauterize and effect destruction of the germinal epithelium and varying depths of cortex. The primary purpose of investigating the capacities for medullary cord development has led secondarily to a consideration of the life of follicles and germ cells in mammals. Ninety-two ovaries, serially sectioned after recovery from treated [female] [female], include 24 rat ovaries treated between days 8 and 20 with autopsy 54-354 days after treatment, 33 guinea pig ovaries treated between days 6 and 90 with autopsy 93-343 days after treatment, 14 cat ovaries treated between days 23 and 46 with autopsy 98-320 days post-treatment, and 21 opossum ovaries treated between days 70 and 119 with autopsy 36-341 days later. Modified medullary cords converted into tubules of testis-like character were seen in treated ovaries of rats, guinea pigs, and opossums, but were little evident in ovaries from treated cats; in no case was there pronounced testis development from ovarian medulla. These results are in contrast with testis development from the medulla of the freemartin, bird, and amphibian. Ovarian follicles representing all stages in development from primordial to antrum-bearing follicles were present in treated ovaries from all 4 spp. during periods up to 300 days and longer subsequent to destruction of the germinal epithelium. The problem of life duration of follicles and germ cells is an open one.