Abstract
In order to determine the morphology of the interstitial gland tissue and possibly correlate these findings with the serum levels of 20α-dihydroprogesterone, mature New Zealand virgin rabbits were each assigned to 1 of 4 groups: estrous controls; 5 h; 10 h; and 2 days after mating. Data indicated that the amount of interstitial gland tissue in the ovaries varied between rabbits regardless of the group to which they were assigned. The virgin estrous rabbits generally had minimal amounts of interstitial gland tissue and low levels of serum 20α-dihydroprogesterone. Ovaries of some rabbits had an abundance of interstitial gland tissue which was composed mainly of large cells and had an output of 20α-dihydroprogesterone greater than those ovaries with a lesser amount of interstitial gland tissue. In those ovaries where an abundance of interstitial gland tissue was present, some morphological changes were seen between the 3 periovulatory stages which can be related to variations in 20α-dihydroprogesterone. At 5 h after mating, the ovaries with large amounts of interstitial gland tissue had cells with an abundance of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and serum 20α-dihydroprogesterone levels were elevated. At 10 h after mating, some follicles had ovulated and the large interstitial gland cells displayed an increase in numbers of lipid droplets which was accompanied by a decrease in 20α-dihydroprogesterone. At 2 days after mating, most large interstitial gland cells had an accumulation of large lipid droplets and progestin levels continued to decrease.
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