Scanning electron microscopy of nonfunctional human ovaries

Samples of ovaries taken from fertile and infertile patients, 23 to 32 years of age, were fixed in 2.5% buffered glutaraldehyde, processed by critical point drying, sputter coated with gold palladium and viewed by scanning electron microscopy. Cell cores proliferating from the tunica albuginea into the stroma were made up of an epithelium similar to that covering the ovarian surface. Ovarian papillae, arising from the ovarian surface, were covered with typical polyhedral superficial cells. The oocyte and granulosa cells were connected by means of microvilli, desmosomes and gap junctions. After ovulation the stigma was occupied by a mass of connective tissue to which were attached red blood cells (coagulated blood) and residual follicle cells. In the postovulatory follicle the adjacent superficial epithelium underwent extensive proliferation to repair the rupture point. The anovulatory ovaries were completely covered with superficial epithelium, which was packed tightly and exhibited dense microvilli, blebs, solitary cilia, ruffles, filopodia and different types of cytoplasmic projections. This was in contrast to the ovulatory ovary, in which the superficial epithelium seemed to be localized only in certain areas and the site of the follicular rupture was not completely repaired by superficial epithelium.