Strategies of ovarian function of importance to gynecologic investigations.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article was to examine the similarities and differences in ovarian morphology and function that are known to exist among mammalian species. The previous difficulties and present solutions to the characterization of ovarian function in non-domestic or non-laboratory species are discussed.


METHODS
The current literature regarding comparative ovarian structure and function was reviewed to identify examples of the diversity found with mammals.


RESULTS
Major differences in ovarian anatomy include location in the body cavity; the degree of membranous covering surrounding the ovary; vascularization of the ovary, oviduct, and uterus; and the organization of different cell types within the ovary. The differences in ovarian function are simplified in this review by categorizing the known examples into six groups according to patterns in follicle growth and development, mechanisms of ovulation, response of steroid target cells, and luteal function.


CONCLUSIONS
Each mammalian species has a unique expression of its ovarian function. The differences between species range from quantitative differences in ovarian cycle phase length to qualitative differences in cell type, endocrine activity, and mechanism of ovulation. These differences present a special problem to research scientists when they attempt to select models for studying many aspects of female reproduction.
Lasley
B
B
Institute for Toxicology and Environmental Health, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
Benirschke
K
K
D000818:Animals; D004971:Estrus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006176:Gynecology; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity