Morphology and histochemistry of ovarian changes in the field rat, Millardia meltada

A study has been made of the morphological and histochemical changes of the ovary of the field rat, Millardia meltada during its oestrous cycle and pregnancy. The follicular growth and atresia, ovulation and formation of corpora lutea occur throughout the year except severe winter months (December and January). Fluctuations in the follicular development occur on different days of the oestrous cycle and pregnancy. The granulosa cells show a progressive increase in their size in successive stages of follicle growth. The granulosae of normal follicles show some sparsely scattered lipid bodies which consist of phospholipids. Theca interna cells during follicular growth develop diffuse lipoproteins and lipid droplets consisting of triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesterol and/or its esters. The luteal cells of corpora lutea are formed by the granulosa cells as the theca interna cells degenerate and disappear. The fibroblast-like cells of thecal origin, alongwith the blood vessels, invade the luteal cell mass. The luteal cells during metoestrus, dioestrus and first half of pregnancy show abundant diffuse lipoproteins and a few lipid droplets composed mainly of phospholipids and some triglycerides, which are indicative of active steroidogenesis. The details of degenerative histological and histochemical alterations of corpora lutea during oestrous cycle and pregnancy are also described and discussed. Morphological and histochemical changes of follicular atresia are described. The granulosa cells of atretic follicle degenerate and disappear leaving behind theca interna cells which form patches of interstitial gland cells during the reproductive activity of the present rat. Interstitial gland cells show diffusely distributed sudanophilic lipoproteins and lipid droplets consisting of triglycerides, cholesterol and/or its esters and some phospholipids, which are indicative of steroidogenesis. The functional significance of histological and histochemical changes, which occur in various components of the ovary during oestrous cycle and pregnancy, has been discussed.