Morphology of ovarian changes during the reproductive cycle of the house lizard, Hemidactylus flaviviridis.

Ovarian changes during the reproductive cycle of the oviparous wall lizard (Hemidactylus flaviviridis Rüppel) are described and discussed. It ovulates from mid-March to mid-May with a peak in April. Two eggs, one from each ovary, are ovulated at a time. After the breeding season is over, the ovaries are reduced in size. From June to third week of February they contain small pre-vitellogenic fillicles which start increasing in size with the approach of March when yolk deposition occurs rapidly. The histological details of developing the pre-ovulatory follicles are described. Follicle cell nuclei are taken into the ooplasm of pre-vitellogenic follicles; they are finally absorbed before yolk deposition starts. Pre-ovulatory follicles show highly vascularized thecae and invaginations of the follicular epithelium. Follicular atresia generally occurs in follicles with polymorphic granulosae, in post-ovulatory ovaries. Their granulosa cells give rist to phagocytes which, after removing the ooplasmic contents, degenerate, while the theca interna cells are hypertrophied to form the interstitial gland cells in the walls of degenerated follicles. After ovulation, the granulosa cells hypertrophy to form luteal cell mass filling the follicular cavity. Fibroblasts which appear to arise from the thecal layer, invade the luteal cell mass and form septa. Blood vessels occur in the luteal cell mass. The possible physiological significance of corpora lutea in the wall lizard is discussed.