Effects of gonadotrophin on the ovary of Apodemus flavicollis in winter anoestrus.

Wild-caught female Apodemus flavicollis were given daily subcutaneous injections of PMSG + HCG on two consecutive days (2xPMSG + HCG), HCG on two days (2 X HCG), PMSG + HCG until their vagina became perforate (Perforate), and PMSG + HCG until they became perforate and were left undisturbed for another five days (Perforate + 5). Untreated females served as controls. The ovaries and uteri increased in weight as a result of the treatment. The number of healthy follicles increased in "perforate" females and decreased in "2 X HCG". Luteinization of the follicles and possibly of the interstitial tissue was seen in "2 X HCG". In this group, the mean diameter of the corpora lutea increased, and it decreased in "perforate" and "perforate + 5". The mean number of corpora lutea was unaffected by the treatment. The activity of 3 beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta HSD) was strong in the corpora lutea of the untreated females and remained so throughout treatment. The interstitial tissue of the untreated females showed only weak 3 beta HSD activity, but the activity was strong in all the experimental groups. One female ovulated, but it is not clear if it was in response to treatment.