Studies on the ovarian activity of the dromedary (Camelus dromedarius).

Post-ovulatory corpora haemorrhagica and mature corpora lutea were seen in the ovary of non pregnant dromedary only during the spring season. Regressed corpora lutea were noticed in the pvaries all-over the year together with many follicles of different sizes. 2 or 3 corpora lutea in different stages of regression might be found in the same ovary. Premordial follicles in the ovary of the dromedary were found to be distributed under tunica albuginea and extend deeply for a short distance in the cortical tissue. Number of these follicles are intact while others are atretic. The ovary of the dromedary shows very few number of intact growing follicles all-over the year. The majority of the growing follicles were found to show different stages of atresia. A large number of Graafian follicles is noticed in the ovaries of the dromedary examined all-over the year. Some of these Graafian follicles are intact, others show signs of atresia. The most common type of atresia that affects the large antral follicles is the cystic atresia. Both granulosa and theca cells of the dromedary undergo luteinization after ovulation to form the corpus luteum. This occurs earlier in the granulosa cells than in the theca cells. Regression of the corpus luteum was found to occur in the dromedary by 2 different ways, termed vascular and avascular types. Sometimes the 2 types of regression occur in the same ovary.