Histochemical observations on the seasonal fluctuations in the follicular atresia and interstitial gland tissue in the house sparrow ovary.
A histochemical study has been made of seasonal fluctuations in the follicular atresia and interstitial gland tissue with the ovarian cycles of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). The atresia of primordial oocytes forms the predominant feature of the quiescent-winter ovary. The building up of interstitial gland tissue of thecal origin. which precedes the breeding activity, is closely related to the atresia of previtellogenic follicles of variable sizes. Interstitial gland cells which accumulate lipid droplets consisting of cholesterol, and/or its esters, triglycerides and some phospholipids, are the steroid secretors. The possible functional significance of different-sized follicular atresia in relation to follicular growth and breeding activity is discussed.
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D012621:Seasons; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides