Phagocytosis of Carbon Particles by Theca Interna Fibroblasts in Hen Ovary.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether the follicular cells phagocytose foreign agents in hens. White Leghorn laying hens were intravenously injected with carbon solution 22 hr before the expected time of ovulation. Then the ovarian stroma containing primary follicles (PF), white follicles (WF), the largest and third largest preovulatory follicles (F1 and F3, respectively), the largest postovulatory follicle (POF) and spleen were collected 20 hr after the injection. Tissues were processed for histolog-ical examinations. Carbon particles were observed in the cytoplasm of the theca interna fibroblasts of WF, F3, F1 and POF in the carbon injected birds. The population of cells containing carbon particles was significantly greater in F1 and F3 follicles than in the other follicles, and was greater in WF than in PF and POF. Carbon particles were also accumulated in the spleen. These results suggest that the fibroblasts in the theca interna of preovulatory follicles phagocytose foreign particle substances, and this activity is likely to be stronger during the rapid growth phase than the other phases.