title: Glycogen accumulation in the ovarian follicle of Indian vespertilionid bat, Scotophilus heathi during the period of delayed ovulation.
abstract: Massive accumulation of glycogen in the follicles of Scotophilus heathi during the period of delayed ovulation was noticed. The follicles which survive for prolonged periods are morphologically specialized. The accumulation of glycogen was noticed in the granulosa cells. The egg cytoplasm, thecal cells and interstitial cells were almost devoid of glycogen. The first sign of a glycogen deposit in the ovary was noticed during the recrudescence phase (October) in late pre-antral follicles. Most of the morphologically healthy late pre-antral and antral follicles showed a positive reaction with PAS and Best carmine from October to early February. Morphologically atretic follicles showed only a mild glycogen accumulation. Little or no glycogen accumulation was noticed in some of the healthy late-antral follicles before ovulation during late February and early March. HCG-induced antral follicles during quiescence also did not show any accumulation of glycogen. The study suggests that glycogen laden follicles are not suitable for ovulation and may be the reason for the occurrence of delayed ovulation in S. heathi.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
authors.forename: U P
authors.initials: UP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Krishna
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000502:physiology*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010060:Ovulation; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D006003:Glycogen