title: Growth characteristics of rabbit ovarian mesothelial (surface epithelial) cells.
abstract: This study analyzes the morphology and growth characteristics of rabbit ovarian mesothelial (surface epithelial) cells explanted in vitro. Best cell growth and expression of differentiation were obtained using a polystyrene substrate, 100% air, and a nutrient composed of 85% medium 199 and 15% fetal bovine serum. Surface epithelia gave rise to cell outgrowths within 36 h of explantation and formed confluent epithelial monolayers after 1 week. Cells exhibited a marked proliferative activity as indicated by: (a) a labeling index of 80% at day 4, and of 40% at days 10 and 38; (b) a cell doubling time of 30-36 h during the logarithmic phase of growth; and (c) an estimated 24 cell population doublings during 6 weeks. Confluent cultures contained cells complexed by desmosomes and tight junctions and displaying numerous microvilli, intracellular lumina, and focal cilia. Cells organized often into nests and gland-like spaces and developed occasional hemicysts. High-density cultures developed also a multilayered configuration, villous processes, epithelial invaginations or crypts, and focal cytological features suggestive of steroidogenesis. This study shows that rabbit ovarian surface epithelial cells can be maintained in vitro with a high degree of differentiation. This model is being used to investigate the pathobiology of ovarian surface epithelium.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors