Comparative morphological and histochemical observations on the ovarian stromal compartment in mammals with special reference to steroidogenesis

Observations on the female internal reproductive organs of the brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans)

“…In the first descriptions of the ovarian histology of cebids by Snyder [1928] and Dempsey [1939], they described the abundance of glandular interstitial tissue throughout the ovary during the entire sexual cycle. This feature has also been found in other genera and species of neotropical primates [Castellanos & McCombs, 1968;Eckstein, 1958;Guraya, 1968Guraya, , 1974Hertig et al, 1971;Wislocki, 1939], and is similar to the description of auxiliary corpora lutea found in Macaca [Koering, 1969]. More recently, Claver et al [1984a] described the ovary microanatomy of captive black howler monkeys and the most significant feature again was the presence of abundant glandular interstitial tissue in both the cortex and medulla.…”

Determination of Steroidogenic Potential of Ovarian Cells of the Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)1

“…Little information is available on which hormones might control expression of steroid synthesis in this tissue. Previously, we demonstrated that the mRNA for LH-R but not FSH receptor was present in some interstitial cells [5], indicating a potential role for LH in regulating steroidogenesis in these cells, as has been shown for other species [26,40]. However, LH-R mRNA expression was weak or absent in many interstitial cells.…”

“…The possum ovary contains numerous interstitial cells scattered throughout the ovarian stroma that morphologically appear to be steroidogenically active [20]. Although steroidogenically active interstitial tissue is present in several species [25,26], the steroidogenic characteristics of this tissue and its role in regulating reproductive activity in the brushtail possum is unknown. To provide fundamental information regarding the potential role of steroids in regulation of ovarian function in the brushtail possum, the aims of the present study were to determine in this marsupial the identity of steroidogenic cell types and the potential of the ovary to produce progestins, androgens, and estrogens.…”

Histochemical study of superoxide dismutase in the ovary of the rat during the oestrous cycle

“…These interstitial gland cells form an import¬ ant storage site for lipid droplets. Guraya (1974), on the basis of changes in the amount of lipid droplets with changes in gonadotrophin concentrations, suggested that the interstitial gland tissue is a site for steroidogenesis. Although cholesterol has been shown to be present in interstitial gland cells when progesterone secretion is low, its absence during active secretion has been interpreted in terms of mobilization of the precursors of progesterone biosynthesis to be controlled by corpus luteum (Agrawal & Laloraya, 1978 Hydrogen peroxide has been assigned the role of a second messenger (May & de Haën, 1979) in hormonal systems and we propose that Superoxide dismutase, in conjunction with peroxidase, in a sequential developmental process, may be involved in regulating follicular development, ovulation and luteal functions under the action of gonadotrophins.…”