Polycystic ovarian grafts in cycling young rats.

Subcutaneous autografts of the hilar region of the ovary were made in unilaterally ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats at 35 days of age. At 90 days of age the grafts and in situ ovaries were examined. The ovarian grafts all exhibited follicular cysts whereas the in situ ovaries of the same animals did not. This cystic condition is considered the result of an ovarian lesion. The system is being examined as a potential model of polycystic ovarian disease and the ovulatory failure which develops with old age.