title: Compartmentalized mast cell degranulations in the ovarian hilum, fat pad, bursa and blood vessel regions of the cyclic hamster: relationships to ovarian histamine and blood flow.
abstract: Ovaries from hamsters on each day of the oestrous cycle at 09.00 h were observed for the number of mast cells, the pattern of mast cell degranulation, histamine concentration and blood flow. On day 4 (pro-oestrus), ovaries were also observed at 9.00, 15.00 and 21.00 h. Mast cell degranulation was evaluated by 3 criteria: (1) no degranulation = less than 5 granules dispersed from the cell; (2) moderate degranulation = 5 or more granules dispersed but less than 15, and (3) extensive degranulation = 15 or more granules released. Blood flow was determined using radio-active microspheres in anaesthetized animals. Mast cells were observed in fat pad (beyond 2 mm of the bursal mesothelium), bursa (within 2 mm of the bursal mesothelium), hilum and near ovarian blood vessels (these 4 regions are collectively called the ovarian complex). The distribution of ovarian mast cells was not uniform. Most mast cells were near ovarian blood vessels (42.2%) and in the fat pad (37.2%). A moderate number of cells were in the bursal wall (20%) and only a few cells were observed in the hilum (0.64%). Mast cell number remained unchanged on days 1-4 of the cycle in each ovarian compartment. However, summation of the number of mast cells in the entire ovarian complex revealed a significant decline in number at 15.00 h on pro-oestrus. Alterations in mast cell degranulation were primarily restricted to 2 periods of the cycle (pro-oestrus and di-oestrus). An increase in moderate but not extensive degranulation was observed in only the fat pad and bursa on day 2 when compared with day 1 values. In most ovarian compartments on pro-oestrus, degranulation was higher than on any other day of the cycle. At 15.00 h on pro-oestrus, extensive degranulation in bursa, fat pad and blood vessel regions (but not hilum) coincided with an increase in ovarian histamine and decline in number of mast cells; ovarian blood flow also increased at the time but remained unchanged the remainder of the cycle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krishna
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Terranova
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D015550:Cell Degranulation; D006224:Cricetinae; D004971:Estrus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006636:Histamine Release; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow
chemical_list: D007986:Luteinizing Hormone