Micromorphological Study of The Corpus Luteum of The Rabbit During Pregnancy

Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University

Abstract

The micromorphological characteristics of growth and regression of rabbit corpora lutea were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy during pregnancy. In the latter, the corpus luteum (CL) of rabbit ovary gradually increased in diameter and reached its maximum size at the mid of gestation period (14 days post mating). It slightly decreased in size around the end of pregnancy. This increase and decrease in the size of the corpus luteum was accompanied by an increase and decrease in the size of lutein cells. The fibrous boundary between the CL and the surrounding interstitial gland cells was vanished at the later stages of regression, al- lowing the two cell types to intermingle. During the structural regression of the CL the mean number of the lutein cells was markedly and significantly decreased while the mean number of the interstitial gland cells was significantly increased. Macrophages and other connective tissue cells, except fibroblasts, were not prominent during regression indicating that these cells in the rabbit, unlike other species, may not play an important role in luteolysis.

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Veterinary Medical Journal (Giza)
Volume 62, Issue 4
October 2016
Pages 105-119

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