Correlative histochemical and biochemical studies on acetylcholinesterase activity during ovulation in the rat

A correlative histochemical and biochemical study has been made of the changes in acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive sites during ovulation induced in immature female albino rats with exogenous gonadotrophins. Acetylcholinesterase is the marker for cholinergic innervation. In histochemical observations, AChE+ve sites were localized in typical perivascular position and the intensity and number of enzyme-positive sites around the Graafian follicle gradually increased during follicular maturation and ovulation but stromal AChE-activity did not show any appreciable change. Biochemical estimation of the enzyme supports these observations. The electronmicroscopic and histological observations of the structural changes in nerves accompanying ovulation have also been enumerated and the role of cholinergic nerves in neuromuscular control of ovulation is discussed.