Aspects of cellular proliferation during follicular atresia in the dog ovary

• Published in: Cell and tissue research 1981-01, Vol.219 (1), p.173-183
• Main Authors: Spanel-Borowsky, K, Trepl, F, Schick, P, Pilgrim, C. (Ulm Univ. (Germany, F.R.). Abt. fuer Klinische Morphologie)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Autoradiography; Cell Division; Cell Survival; Dogs - physiology; Female; Granulosa Cells - physiopathology; Metestrus; Ovarian Follicle - abnormalities; Pregnancy; Theca Cells - physiopathology; Tritium
• ISSN: 0302-766X; 1432-0878
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00210026

Autoradiography after pulse labelling with [3H] thymidine was applied to investigate the proliferation processes in the granulosa and theca related to follicular atresia of the dog ovary during metestrus. The number of proliferating cells depends on the follicle type and its atretic stage. There is less proliferation in smaller secondary follicles than either in larger ones or tertiary follicles. While in early atresia tertiary follicles show the highest labelling indices, in advanced atresia the largest secondary follicles are those with the highest values. For each follicle type a decline in the labelling indices can be observed from early to terminal atresia. Tertiary follicles show a precipitous decrease in the labelling index between early and advanced atresia. There is a continuous gradient of proliferation from the center of the follicle over the peripheral granulosa to the theca. In tertiary follicles, an inverse correlation between labelling and necrosis of granulosa cells can be observed.