Ovarian surface epithelium during ovulatory and anovulatory ovine estrous cycles

Ovarian surface epithelial cells have been implicated in the mechanisms of ovulation and development of common ovarian cancers. An early indication of predisposition to neoplasia is the formation of ovarian epithelial inclusion cysts. It was unclear whether morphological alterations along the ovarian surface are related directly to ovulation per se or associated endocrine parameters of reproductive cyclicity.

Light microscopic disturbances in ovarian surface epithelium were monitored during synchronous ovulatory and anovulatory estrous cycles of sheep. Ovulation blockade accompanied by normal luteal phases was induced by administration of indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthase inhibitor.

Degenerative cells were sloughed from the apical dome of periovulatory follicles. The resultant stigma of luteinizing follicles was void of surface epithelium. Repair of the ovulatory wound by epithelium did not occur until complete involution of the corpus luteum during the subsequent estrous cycle. In a few cases inclusions containing entrapped ovarian surface epithelium were noted within adjacent stroma. Epithelia covering luteinized unruptured follicles remained intact and was not incorporated into the ovary during luteal resorption.

Localized damage to and subsequent remodelling of the ovarian surface occurs in a cyclic fashion conjoined with the physical process of follicular rupture.