Histophysiological studies on the postovulatory follicles of the fowl ovary.

A histochemical study has been made of the postovulatory follicles of fowl (Gallus domesticus) during their various stages of development and degeneration. The lumen of postovulatory follicle shows granulosa cells at their initial formative stages and both thecal and stromal cells at the later regressive stages. The granulosa and thecal cells develop diffuse lipoproteins, cholesterol-positive lipids and various enzyme activities (delta5-3beta-HSDH, NAD-NADP-diaphorases and alkaline phosphatase), which are indicative of steroidogenesis.