The postpartum formation of egg cells in the cat

The summary of this paper is as follows:1 From an examination of 108 ovaries from eighty‐nine individuals it was apparent that, in the cat a certain but variable amount of degeneration of primary follicles occurs in all life epochs. 2 The primary oocytes undergo the degeneration, while the follicle cells remain for an undetermined time. 3 The most profound instances of such degeneration were encountered in kittens of 6 to 9 weeks, accompanying or follwing the resolution of the egg cords into primary follicles and the establishment of the cortical or marginal zone. A sporadic degeneration of young oocytes occurs at earlier periods. 4 No evidence was seen of a new formation of egg cells from the residual follicle cells after the degeneration of the oocytes. The degenerations of the 6 to 9 weeks epoch are not believed to be of universal occurrence. 5 No adequate evidence was encountered of a new formation of egg cells from the surface epithelium, either before or after sexual maturity. 6 No evidence linking the degeneration of primary follicles with the estrous cycle was seen. 7 The stock of primary follicles established in the first few weeks after birth is believed to be adequate for the growth of graafian.