title: Ultrastructural features of atretic follicles in the sexually immature ostrich (Struthio camelus).
abstract: The aim of this study was to describe the ultrastructural features of atresia in follicles of the immature ostrich (12-14 months old); a ratite that displays seasonal, precocious ovarian activity. The early stage of atresia in primordial, pre-vitellogenic and vitellogenic follicles was characterized by the accumulation of lipid droplets in the granulosa cells. Granulosa cells with condensed cytoplasm and nuclei were a prominent feature during the intermediate phase of atresia. The degenerating follicles were then infiltrated by stroma during the terminal stages of atresia. The results of this study provide further information on the morphology of atretic ovarian follicles in the immature ostrich.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa. madex@op.up.ac.za
authors.forename: M-C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Madekurozwa
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Kimaro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005496:Follicular Atresia / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D020310:Struthioniformes / Q000033:anatomy & histology*