成体雌性小熊猫卵巢组织学观察

2000 年至2009 年,12 只固定于10% 福尔马林中非生殖系统疾病死亡的小熊猫卵巢组织,按常规组织学技术制作组织切片,HE 染色,光学显微镜观察。结果:(1)不同发情时期卵巢均有原始卵泡、初级卵泡和次级卵泡分布。发情期的卵巢未观察到典型的成熟卵泡和卵母细胞; (2)原始卵泡数量较少,初级卵泡数量较多,多数初级卵泡和大多数的次级卵泡都处在闭锁状态;(3)卵泡腔出现之前,卵母细胞的直径和卵泡直径同时增长;卵泡腔出现之后,卵母细胞直径增长较慢,卵泡直径增长较快; (4)不同发情时期的小熊猫卵巢均存在大量的间质腺细胞;(5)妊娠小熊猫和发情间期无妊娠小熊猫的卵巢均有发育正常的黄体;(6)卵泡细胞发育呈低柱状至柱状时出现透明带。结论:(1) 卵泡闭锁主要发生在初级卵泡阶段,仅少数卵泡能发育至次级卵泡;(2)卵母细胞和卵泡生长呈双相生长的趋势; (3) 不同发情时期的小熊猫卵巢间质腺都发达; (4)发情排卵后,非妊娠黄体与妊娠黄体维持的时间相似,证实了小熊猫存在假孕现象。     

树鼩(Tupaia belangeri chinensis)卵巢的显微结构及不同季节的卵巢活动

本文报道不同季节的野外成体树鼩卵巢结构的观察和卵泡发育测定的结果。树鼩卵巢的间质腺组织稀少,但普遍有“睾丸索”型的髓质索结构。卵泡发育过程类似于大多数哺乳类和灵长类。近成熟卵泡的腔极大,内膜较窄并有插入的膜腺细胞层。孕期成熟黄体较大,中间有小腔,多角形的黄体细胞具圆形的核和富含脂滴的胞质。带退化透明带残体的付黄林结构偶尔可见,有的与孕期黄体同时出现。次级卵泡和中等囊状卵泡的发育未见有明显的季节性差别。但是,具生长活性的大囊状卵泡和近成熟卵泡的发育,在1、4月份更为明显,为卵泡前期和卵泡期的卵巢周期形态者较多。孕期黄体和付黄体结构见于7月份。10月份未见孕期卵巢结构,多数卵巢缺乏生长活性的大囊状卵泡的发育。这些结果表明,树鼩的卵巢活动同睾丸的精子发生一样,有季节性变化。     

小鼠移植卵巢的生长及功能初探

实验对小鼠单侧和双侧自体异位移植的卵巢,运用组织学、组织化学和放射免疫技术,探讨其生长规律。结果表明：移植卵巢的生长可分三个阶段：（１）坏死期：移植第２～４天,卵巢的原有组织处于退化状态,仅边缘可见原始卵泡和窦前卵泡;（２）恢复期：移植第７～１４天,卵巢逐渐恢复正常结构,血清孕酮水平开始上升,大多数动物出现动情周期;（３）发育成熟期：移植第１４天以后,卵巢内含发育不同阶段的卵泡、黄体和大量间质腺,孕酮水平接近正常。单侧移植卵巢的生长比双侧推迟约７天。本研究显示自体异位移植卵巢能够生长发育并分泌雌性激素     

树qu(Tupaia belangeri chinensis)卵巢的显微结构及不同季节的卵巢活动

本文报道不同季节的野外成体树qu卵巢结构的观察和卵泡发育测定的结果。树qu卵巢的间质腺组织稀少，但普遍有“睾丸索”型的髓质索结构。卵泡发育过程类似于大多数哺乳类和灵长类。近成熟卵泡的腔极大，内膜较窄并有插入的膜腺细胞层。孕期成熟黄体较大，中间有小腔，多角形的黄体细胞具圆形的核和富含脂滴的胞质。带退化透明带残体的付黄体结构偶尔可见，有的与孕期黄体同时出现。次级卵泡和中等囊状卵泡的发育未见有明显和季节性差别。但是，具生长活性的大囊状卵泡和近成熟卵泡的发育，在1、4月份更为明显，为卵泡前期和卵泡期的卵巢周期形态较多。孕期黄体和付黄体结构见于7月份。10月份未见孕期卵巢结构，多数卵巢缺乏生长活性的大囊状卵泡的发育。这些结果表明，树qu的卵巢活动同睾丸的精子发生一样，有季节性变化。     

间情期与发情期比格犬子宫与卵巢组织形态学的比较

目的比较比格犬的子宫、卵巢在间情期与发情期的组织形态学的差异,为后期研究奠定基础。方法用化学发光法测定了23只经产比格母犬的血清性激素水平,选取经血清学鉴定处于发情期的比格犬2只,间情期的比格犬4只的卵巢和子宫标本,中性多聚甲醛固定,石蜡包埋,常规HE染色镜检,拍照。结果间情期犬子宫及其内膜较薄,间质纤维增生,黄体中以初级卵泡为主,可见1～2个次级卵泡,未见成熟卵泡,卵泡和黄体细胞间纤维较多、血管少。发情期犬子宫及其内膜增厚,内膜腺体腔较大,部分腺体呈分枝状弯曲,腺上皮肿大,胞浆淡染,少数可见核下空泡。卵巢中卵泡数量较多,有初级、次级和1～2个成熟卵泡。黄体细胞数量多,排列规则,境界清楚,间质纤维比较疏松,血管多,未见空泡变性。间情期和发情期犬卵巢中未见明显白体。结论间情期比格犬的性激素维持在一比较低的水平,在发情前期雌激素水平迅速增高,而在排卵后比格犬的孕酮水平较高。随发情周期的变化,卵巢和子宫在形态学上发生相应的变化。     

狗獾东北亚种雌性生殖系统的组织学研究

应用光镜对2011年4月和2012年6月、12月3个时期狗獾东北亚种Meles meles amurensis的卵巢、输卵管、子宫、阴道进行观察。结果表明狗獾东北亚种各时期卵巢中均分布着不同发育阶段的卵泡、闭锁卵泡、黄体和基质;12月的卵巢中第Ⅰ、Ⅱ阶段卵泡数量较多,而第Ⅲ、Ⅳ阶段相对较少,4月、6月卵巢中第Ⅲ、Ⅳ阶段卵泡数量相对较多;卵巢基质中的间质腺极为发达。输卵管黏膜层形成多级皱褶且4月、6月较12月的发达;12月、4月及6月3个时期子宫内膜中均具有丰富的子宫腺且子宫腺的数目无明显差异。4月、6月阴道的黏膜上皮表现出不同程度的角质化,而12月的未见角质化。狗獾东北亚种雌性生殖系统呈现全年性发育活跃状态,明显不同于其他野生哺乳动物休情期呈现的周期性萎缩现象,这与其特殊的生殖生理特征相吻合。     

小鼠卵巢几个重要发育事件的初步研究

选定多个阶段小鼠卵巢进行切片染色和生殖细胞计数统计等分析,以发现该阶段小鼠卵巢的发育特点。结果显示在胚胎发育第12.5 d的生殖嵴中,大部分的生殖细胞正进行有丝分裂增殖,并以生殖包囊的形式存在;在出生后第2 d的小鼠卵巢中,有大量紧密接触的原始卵泡,表明生殖包囊刚完成重组形成原始卵泡;在第5 d的小鼠卵巢中,原始卵泡仍占有大部分比例,但也有大量的初级卵泡处于发育之中;在出生后第10 d的卵巢中同时有原始卵泡、初级卵泡和次级卵泡的发育;老年小鼠(16个月大)卵巢中已基本没有卵母细胞。     

褪黑激素对休情期银黑狐腔前卵泡卵母细胞超微结构的影响

为了研究褪黑激素(Melatonin,MLT)对休情期银黑狐腔前卵泡卵母细胞超微结构的影响。本研究选取健康7月龄埋植和未埋植MLT的银黑狐各5只,取其左侧卵巢共计10枚,制备超薄切片后利用透射电镜分别观察每枚卵巢的各级腔前卵泡各1-5个,并进行拍照。结果埋植和未埋植MLT的银黑狐原始卵泡卵母细胞内均有少量线粒体和高尔基体,而未埋植MLT的银黑狐卵母细胞中还可见少量滑面内质网;初级卵泡卵母细胞内,均开始形成不完整透明带,线粒体及内质网数量均有所增加,沿透明带出现少量皮质颗粒;次级卵泡阶段,未埋植MLT银黑狐卵母细胞微绒毛数量较埋植MLT的多,其余细胞器未见差异。结果表明,MLT对休情期银黑狐卵巢腔前卵泡卵母细胞的线粒体、脂滴、高尔基体、皮质颗粒等细胞器的发育没有影响,仅对初级卵泡阶段内质网的发育有抑制作用。     

乌梢蛇卵巢显微结构的年周期变化

应用光学显微镜观察了乌梢蛇卵巢结构的年周期变化,并结合卵巢形态及卵巢系数的年周期变化探讨了其生殖规律.结果 表明,乌梢蛇的卵巢形态、卵巢系数及卵泡发育均具有较为明显的季节变化.据此认为,乌梢蛇在陕南地区的排卵时间在6月中下旬到7月上旬;乌梢蛇卵泡在不同发育阶段会产生闭锁卵泡或闭锁黄体,其意义可能在于使得体内合成的有限卵黄首先保证少量卵泡得到充分发育并排卵,最终达到延续种族的目的 .     

人工光照对青春期前雌性大鼠生殖系统发育的影响

目的研究人工光照时长对青春期前雌性大鼠生殖系统发育的影响。方法选取40只离乳后(日龄为21天)的SPF级雌性大鼠,随机分成对照组、16h光照组、20h光照组、24h持续光照组,每组10只。各组均正常饮食,持续28天。阴道涂片法检测动情周期,计算卵巢和子宫脏器系数,酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测血清中褪黑素(MT)、卵泡刺激素(FSH)雌二醇(E2)水平,HE染色显微镜下观察卵巢和子宫组织形态学的改变。结果与对照组相比,24h持续光照组动情期延长,卵巢和子宫脏器系数升高,MT下降,E2水平增高,可见成熟卵泡和排卵后黄体;除20h光照组偶见少量成熟卵泡外,16h光照组和20h光照组卵巢和子宫脏器系数和血清激素水平未见明显改变。结论一定范围内延长光照对雌性大鼠生殖系统发育无显著影响,但24h持续人工光照可以导致青春期前雌性大鼠性发育提前,这可能与体内MT水平抑制有关。     

Follicular recruitment in long-term hemicastrate rats

In the long-term hemicastrate rat, the total number of ova shed during estrus is the same as in the intact rat. To determine if the dynamics of follicular development are the same in the hemicastrate rat as in the intact control rat, the remaining ovary was removed from rats 20 to 30 days after hemiovariectomy. Complete serial sections of each ovary were prepared for histological examination. All follicles greater than or equal to 300 micrometers were counted, measured, and examined for signs of atresia. Long-term hemicastrate rats had a total complement of half as many healthy antral follicles compared to intact rats at estrus. At metestrus, there were half as many small and medium antral follicles in long-term hemicastrates as in controls. However, the total number of large antral follicles was the same in hemicastrate and intact rats. Thus, by metestrus, the appropriate number of follicles for ovulation appears to have been achieved in both animals, with all these large antral follicles located in the one remaining ovary of the hemicastrate rat, while they are distributed between both ovaries of the intact rat. Ovaries of the long-term hemicastrate rats contained far fewer attretic follicles than ovaries of intact rats. These findings suggest that the process of follicular recruitment differs greatly between intact and long-term hemicastrate rats. Atresia of small and medium antral follicles (300-400 micrometers in diameter) is apparently a necessary step in achieving the correct number of ovulatory follicles in the intact rat, yet the hemicastrate rat arrives at the correct number of ovulatory follicles without atresia.     

Classification of small type B/C follicles as primordial follicles in mature rats

In the present study, follicles were classified according to the morphology of their granulosa cells. Type B follicles contained only flattened granulosa cells; type B/C follicles had a mixture of flattened and cuboidal granulosa cells in a single layer, and type C follicles had a single layer of cuboidal granulosa cells. The primary objectives of the study were to determine whether 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporation into type B/C follicles was a marker for initiation of growth and how long type B/C follicles could remain at the same stage before transformation to type C follicles. Female Holtzman rats received bromo-deoxyuridine for 7 days. After the infusion (day minipumps were removed = day 0), rats were ovariectomized on days 0 (n = 9), 30 (n = 8), 90 (n = 8) and 150 (n = 9). The numbers of type B, B/C and C follicles within one ovary were determined using modified fractionator counting. Analysis over all times demonstrated that there were more (P < 0.0001) type B/C (941 +/- 61 per ovary) than type C (140 +/- 18 per ovary) or type B (159 +/- 19 per ovary) follicles. The numbers of type B and type C follicles did not differ from each other at any time. Only one of 34 rats evaluated had bromo-deoxyuridine-labelled type B follicles. On day 150, 57% of the bromo-deoxyuridine-labelled type B/C follicles remained from day 0. It is concluded that (1) DNA synthesis in granulosa cells of type B/C follicles is not a reliable indicator of impending growth; and (2) type B and type B/C follicles are both components of the pool of primordial follicles.     

Age-related alterations in follicular development and hormonal profiles in rats with 4-day estrous cycles

Two experiments were conducted to examine the hypothesis that an alteration in follicular development is associated with advancing maternal age in the absence of prolonged estrous cycles. In Experiment 1, serum and four follicles (from one ovary per rat) were collected from young and middle-aged, 4-day cycling rats on estrus or metestrus. Number and diameter of nonatretic antral follicles greater than 200 microns in diameter were determined from serial sections of the other ovary from each rat. In Experiment 2, serum and follicles (12 +/- 2) from both ovaries were collected from young and middle-aged rats on each day of a 4-day estrous cycle. All microdissected follicles were assayed for estradiol-17 beta (E2) and all sera were assayed for E2, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone by radioimmunoassay. Numbers of follicles greater than 400 microns in diameter did not differ, while numbers of follicles 200-400 microns in diameter were reduced in middle-aged rats compared to young rats (Experiment 1). The mean diameter of follicles greater than 400 microns in diameter and the follicular content of E2 was greater in middle-aged than in young rats. In Experiment 2, a greater proportion of large follicles were observed in middle-aged rats than in young rats on all days, and a greater proportion of follicles with high concentrations of E2 were observed on diestrus. We interpreted these data as indicative of an early age-related change in the control of follicular recruitment, growth, and maturation.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor stimulates preantral follicle growth in the rat ovary

The regulation of preantral follicle growth in mammals is poorly understood. The availability of an adequate vascular supply to provide endocrine and paracrine signals may be important during the early states of follicle growth as well as the later states of follicle selection and dominance. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a role in preantral follicular development in the rat ovary. Immature (age, 21 days) Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with 500 ng of VEGF in saline or 50 microg of diethylstilbestrol (DES) in oil under the bursa of one ovary. The contralateral ovary was injected with a corresponding volume of vehicle. Rats were killed 48 h later, and the ovaries were removed and analyzed histologically. Intrabursal administration of VEGF significantly increased the number of primary and small secondary, but not of large secondary, preantral follicles in the ovary, similar to the effect of DES (P < 0.05). The VEGF stimulated preantral follicle growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Subcutaneous DES administration increased the number of primary and secondary follicles, and both s.c. and intrabursal estrogen administration stimulated VEGF protein expression in the rat ovary. These data indicate that VEGF stimulates preantral follicular development in the rat ovary, is regulated by estrogen, and may be one of the factors that participate in the regulation of early follicle growth in the rat.     

Cell-type localization of platelet-derived growth factors and receptors in the postnatal rat ovary and follicle

Intraovarian growth factors play a significant role in the regulation of follicular selection and growth. In this study, the presence and localization of all members of the family of platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF) and receptors (PDGFR) were identified and characterized in the rat ovary. In addition, a role was identified for members of this family in contributing towards growth of preantral follicles. Real-time PCR revealed the presence of mRNA for all platelet-derived growth factors (Pdgfa, Pdgfb, Pdgfc and Pdgfd) and receptors (Pdgfra and Pdgfrb) in the rat ovary from birth until 4 wk. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were utilized to identify cell-type expression of PDGFs and PDGFRs in rat ovaries from birth until 4 wk. Shortly after birth, expression of PDGFRA and PDGFC was observed in and around oocyte clusters, and PDGFRB in stromal cells surrounding oocyte clusters. All members were identified in oocytes of primordial and primary follicles, and in cells of the theca layer of primordial to antral follicles. PDGFRA and PDGFA were also localized to some granulosa cells of secondary and antral follicles in ovaries from rats at Days 20 and 24. Thus, localization data suggest both theca-theca and theca-granulosa cell interactions of PDGFs and receptors. Preantral follicles cultured in vitro over 5 days in serum-free medium plus recombinant PDGFAA, PDGFAB, or PDGFBB increased in follicle diameter by 18.32%+/-2.18%, 17.72%+/-2.3%, and 17.6%+/-1.81%, respectively, representing significantly greater increases than for follicles incubated in serum-free medium alone (11%+/-1.57%), and suggesting a role for these growth factors in positively influencing early follicle growth.     

Growth and differentiation factor-9 stimulates progression of early primary but not primordial rat ovarian follicle development

The ovary contains a pool of primordial follicles containing oocytes arrested in meiosis that are the source of developing follicles for the female. Growth and differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily of growth factors, and follicles of GDF-9 knockout mice arrest in the primary stage of development. The effect of GDF-9 treatment on the primordial to primary follicle transition and on subsequent follicle progression was examined using a rat ovary organ culture system. Ovaries from 4-day-old rats were cultured under serum-free conditions in the absence or presence of growth factors. GDF-9 treatment caused a decrease in the proportion of stage 1 early primary follicles and a concomitant increase in the proportion of stage 2 mature primary follicles. GDF-9 did not effect primordial follicles or stage 0 to stage 1 follicle transition. GDF-9 also did not influence stage 3 or 4 secondary follicle numbers. Isolated antral follicle granulosa and theca cell cultures were used to analyze the actions of GDF-9. GDF-9 treatment did not directly influence either granulosa or theca cell proliferation. The ability of GDF-9 to influence the expression of another growth factor was examined. GDF-9 treatment increased kit ligand (KL) mRNA expression in bovine granulosa cells after 2 days of culture. Ovaries from 4-day-old rats were also cultured with or without GDF-9 treatment, and total ovary expression of KL mRNA was increased by GDF-9. In summary, GDF-9 was found to promote the progression of early primary follicle development but did not influence primordial follicle development. The actions of GDF-9 on specific stages of follicle development may in part be mediated through altering the expression of KL.     

Effect of the corpus luteum on ovarian follicular populations and growth in the ewe

Four unilaterally and one bilaterally ovulating ewes with only one corpus luteum (CL) were used in experiment 1. All the animals were slaughtered at day 140 of pregnancy. The total number of preantral and antral follicles was determined in the CL ovary and non-CL ovary. In addition, the pattern of oocyte growth and granulosa cell development was investigated in both kinds of ovary.The CL ovary contained significantly more (P<0.01) preantral follicles than did the non-CL ovary (168.7 vs 93.7). No differences were found between the two kinds of ovary in the number of antral follicles nor in the diameter of the largest follicles. The CL have no effect on oocyte growth and cellular development of the granulosa.To provide further information on the intraovarian relationships between the CL and follicular development, outside all the endocrine factors related to pregnancy, preantral and antral follicles were counted in four unilaterally ovulating hysterectomized ewes (experiment 2) in which the CL persisted for 30 days (n=2) and 50 days (n=2). In any ewe, the CL ovary contained more preantral follicles than the non-CL ovary.All these data demonstrated that the presence of a CL on the ovary increases the preantral follicle populations.     

Ovarian innervation develops before initiation of folliculogenesis in the rat

Summary Sympathetic neurotransmitters have been shown to be present in the ovary of the rat during early postnatal development and to affect steroidogenesis before the ovary becomes responsive to gonadotropins, and before the first primordial follicles are formed. This study was undertaken to determine if development of the ovarian innervation is an event that antedates the initiation of folliculogenesis in the rat, Rattus norvegicus. Serial sections of postnatal ovaries revealed a negligible frequency of follicles 24 h after birth (about 1 primordial follicle per ovary). Twelve hours later there were about 500 follicles per ovary, a number that more than doubled to about 1300 during the subsequent 12 h, indicating that an explosive period of follicular differentiation occurs between the end of postnatal days 1 and 2. Electron microscopy demonstrated that before birth the ovaries are already innervated by fibers containing clear and dense-core vesicles. Immunohistochemistry performed on either fetal (day 19) or newborn (less than 15h after birth) ovaries showed the presence of catecholaminergic nerves, identified by their content of immunoreactive tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis. While some of these fibers innervate blood vessels, others are associated with primordial ovarian cells, thereby suggesting their participation in non-vascular functions. Since prefollicular ovaries are insensitive to gonadotropins, the results suggest that the developing ovary becomes subjected to direct neurogenic influences before it acquires responsiveness to gonadotropins.     

Immunocytochemical analysis of the expression of gap junction protein connexin 43 in the rat ovary

The present immunocytochemical study examines in the rat ovary the pattern of expression of connexin 43 (Cx43), a subunit of gap junctions. Using a well-characterized specific antiserum against rat Cx43, immunoreactivity was not detected in the fetal ovary, i.e., prior to follicular formation. However, in the ovary of 20-day-old, 35-day-old, and adult rats, strong Cx43-immunore-activity was associated with the cell borders of the follicular epithelium/granulosa cells of all developmental stages (primordial follicles, preantral and antral secondary follicles). In general, immunoreactivity of the granulosa cells of large antral follicles appeared more intense than the one of smaller follicles. Staining was also seen in oocytes (cytoplasmic staining). Theca cells of large antral follicles, but not of small follicles were immunoreactive. Immunoreactive interstitial cells were not seen in ovaries of 20- and 35-day-old animals, but staining in these cells was present in adult rats. In large follicles with signs of atresia, granulosa cells lacked Cx43-immunoreactivity, whereas Cx43-immunoreactivity in their theca interna strikingly increased. Corpora lutea in the cyclic adult rats were heterogeneously stained, with either no detectable immunoreactivity, staining of cell borders of most luteal cells, or with conspicuous staining of only a few cells. In the pregnant animals on gestation days (GD) 12, 14, and 17, all luteal cells stained strongly for Cx43 at the cell surface. Shortly before delivery (GD 21), however, the staining pattern vanished and only few, presumably luteal cells remained immunoreactive. In Western blots (using homogenates of whole ovaries), the Cx43 antiserum recognized a major band of approximate Mr 43 × 10³, together with minor bands, which may reflect the presence of several differently phosphorylated Cx43 forms. This is indicated by treatment with alkaline phosphatase, which reduced the banding pattern to one single band. In summary, the gap junction molecule Cx43 is abundantly expressed in all endocrine compartments of the rat ovary. The staining pattern obtained in the present study indicates that Cx43 and presumably gap-junctional communication are associated with follicular development, atresia, and the development of the interstitial gland, as well as with the development and regression of the corpus luteum. The heterogeneous staining within the ovary furthermore hints to a contribution of the local intraovarian factors in the regulation of Cx43 expression. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.