Vle CONG. INTERN. REPROD. ANIM. INSEM. ARTIF., FARIS, 1968, VOL. II

might not be completely the case: even within a few hours after ovul-
ation the granulosa cells appear to be of at least two types; there
were those which contained many mitochondria and small, clear vacuoles
and those with more dense cytoplasm and fewer mitochondria. The vacules
of the latter type were large and filled with a more dense material
whereas the vacuoles of the former type appeared to be derived from
the cytoplasmic membrane. What is not known is whether these cells
represent stages in the progressive change which have occurred at
different times in different cells of one population or whether they
are stages in separate processes occurring in a cell population of
more than one type. What is clear is that during the first 24hrs,
the changes do not appear to be degenerative; the cells looked healthy
and actively secreting., Later, after possibly 48hrs, degeneration did
appear to have started.

Although the results presented are in accordance with the findings
of studies using the light microscope they do little to help under-
stand the mechanisms for the role of the post-ovulatory follicle
during the first 24hr, of its existence. If it produces a hormone
regulating oviduct activity (II) either this must be produced during
the 24hrs after ovulation and then cease or it must be produced only
after 24hrs has elapsed. There certainly was no evidence structur-
ally for either case: those changes which were apparent seemed to be
progressive over the whole period of 48hrs or more after ovulation.
However what is apparent is that changes occur throughout the whole
cell population and the structure of the follicle: such changes are
not restricted to the granulosa cells.

References

Bradley, 0.C. (1950). The structure of the fowl., 3rd Ed. J.B.

Lippincott Co., Philadelphia.

Conner, M.H. & Fraps, R.M. (1954). Poult. Sci. 33, 1051.

Davis, D.E. (1942). Anat. Rec. 82: 297-307.

Deol, G.S. (1955). Ph.D. Thesis, Edinburgh University.

Dommi¢ R EL e (1960) s T 7001 8S0Cs. India (1.2:27=33"

. Fell, H.B. (1924). J. exp. Biol. 1: 293-312.

. Gilbert, A.B. (1966). In 'Advances in Reproductive Physiology' Ed.
A. MacLaren, Logos Press, London,

8. Gilbert, A.B. & Wood-Gush, D.G.M. (1965). Anim. Behaviour 13:284-285.
9. Novak. J. & Duschak, F. (1923). Z. Anat. Entw. Med. 69: 483-492.

10. Pearl, R. & Boring, A.M. (1918). Am. J.Anat. 23: 1-35. :

11. Rothchild, I. & Fraps, R.M. (1944). Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med. 56:

79-82.

12. Wood-Gush, D.G.M. & Gilbert, A.B. (1964). Anim. Behav. 12: 451-453.

13. Wyburn, G.M., Johnston, H.S. & Aitken. R.N.C. (1966). Zeit.

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