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RELATIVE LEVELS OF THECAL BLOOD FLOW IN ATRETIC AND NON‐ATRETIC OVARIAN FOLLICLES OF THE CONSCIOUS SHEEP
Author(s) -
Carson Ronald,
Findlay Jock,
Mattner Phillip,
Brown Bruce
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
australian journal of experimental biology and medical science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0004-945X
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1986.40
Subject(s) - theca , atresia , blood flow , follicular phase , andrology , ovary , medicine , endocrinology , biology , chemistry
Summary The relative level of blood flow through thecal capillaries (RTF) in individual atretic and non‐atretic follicles >1 mm was measured in conscious ewes by injecting 15 μm radioactive microspheres into the aorta near the origin of the ovarian artery, and determining the ratio of radioactivity per mg protein in theca of individual follicles to that in the non‐luteal portion (stroma plus follicles <1 mm diameter) of the corresponding ovary. In follicles >1 mm diameter, RTF in those showing advanced stages of atresia (stages IV and V) was significantly less than that in non‐atretic (stage I) follicles. RTF values in non‐atretic (stage I), early atretic (stage II) and moderately atretic (stage III) follicles did not differ significantly. There was no effect of follicular diameter (P>0·05) on the relative level of blood flow within individual thecae or of atresia on thecal protein content. These data indicate that reduced thecal blood flow is associated with advanced atresia of antral follicles and are in accordance with the findings of previous histological studies. Whether thecal ischaemia is a factor involved in the onset of atresia, or occurs as a consequence of the degenerative process, remains uncertain.