Divisions of Reproductive Sciences and Animal Resources, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA.
Biol Reprod. 2010 Mar;82(3):599-605. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.109.081570. Epub 2009 Nov 18.
The ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) has a prominent role in ovarian cancer in women, but no studies have been conducted to evaluate its role in normal ovarian function. Data from other species suggest the OSE is needed for ovulation. We have tested whether the OSE is needed for follicle rupture, a necessary step in ovulation, using the nonhuman primate, rhesus macaque. The OSE was removed in two different short-term protocols spanning a single periovulatory interval--one protocol used a cytology brush to remove the OSE only from the follicle apex, and one used mild detergent to remove the entire OSE--and in one long-term protocol spanning 6 wk (two periovulatory intervals) that removed the entire OSE with detergent. Serum levels of estrogen and progesterone (E and P) were monitored, and sectioned ovaries were examined for evidence of successful OSE removal and follicle rupture. In the short-term protocols, removal of the OSE over the follicle apex did not prevent follicle rupture (n = 4 ovaries), but removal of the entire OSE using detergent did in four of six cases. In the long-term protocol, when ovaries were collected after the second periovulatory interval, all the ovaries (n = 5) showed evidence of follicle rupture. In all the protocols, E and P production appeared unaffected. Detergent penetrated up to 40 microm into the ovary. This may have transiently disrupted the stroma and caused follicle rupture failure. We conclude that the primate OSE is not essential for ovulation and perhaps can be removed without lasting consequence.
卵巢表面上皮（OSE）在女性卵巢癌中起着重要作用，但尚无研究评估其在正常卵巢功能中的作用。来自其他物种的数据表明，OSE 对于排卵是必需的。我们使用非人类灵长类动物恒河猴测试了 OSE 是否对于卵泡破裂（排卵的必要步骤）是必需的。OSE 可以通过两种不同的短期方案去除，这两种方案都跨越一个单一的排卵周期——一种方案使用细胞学刷子仅从卵泡顶端去除 OSE，另一种方案使用温和的洗涤剂去除整个 OSE——以及一种跨越 6 周（两个排卵周期）的长期方案，使用洗涤剂去除整个 OSE。监测血清雌激素和孕激素（E 和 P）水平，并对切片卵巢进行检查，以确定 OSE 去除和卵泡破裂的成功证据。在短期方案中，去除卵泡顶端的 OSE 不会阻止卵泡破裂（n = 4 个卵巢），但在六种情况下有四种情况下使用洗涤剂去除整个 OSE 会阻止卵泡破裂。在长期方案中，在第二个排卵周期后收集卵巢时，所有卵巢（n = 5）都显示出卵泡破裂的证据。在所有方案中，E 和 P 的产生似乎没有受到影响。洗涤剂渗透到卵巢中达 40 微米。这可能会暂时破坏基质并导致卵泡破裂失败。我们得出结论，灵长类动物的 OSE 对于排卵并非必需，也许可以在没有持久后果的情况下去除。
