Serous cysts of the aging guinea pig ovary. I. Light microscopy and origin.

Ovaries from guinea pigs of different ages have been examined by light microscopy. Serous cysts measuring between 1 mm and 2.5 cm are present in all animals over one year of age. The cysts are fewer in number and size at six months, are least developed at ten weeks and are not apparent in the near-term fetus. The cysts arise from the rete ovarii. They are lined with a simple cuboidal to columnar epithelium composed of cells bearing solitary cilia or tufts of cilia. The structure and origin of these cysts is discussed and compared with what is known of the human serous cystadenoma.