Fine structure of the corpus luteum of the autografted ovary in the rat.

The rat ovary has been transplanted successfully to subcutaneous tissue areas by several investigators. Light microscopy has revealed that corpora lutea in ovarian autografts are formed by luteinization of intact follicles and contain entrapped ova. In the present study, corpora lutea from autografted ovaries in castrate rats were obtained at metestrus and examined electron microscopically to determine whether their cellular morphology correlated with the normal progesterone levels in these animals. Cellular features usually accepted as regressive were apparent. The findings suggest either structural luteolysis is occurring before functional luteolysis or that the adrenal has increased steroidogenic activity in the castrate with ovarian autografts to account for the normal progesterone levels.