The role of the rete ovarii in meiosis and follicle formation in the cat, mink and ferret.

Ovarian morphology was studied from the inception of meiosis in the cat, mink and ferret. It was shown that "open connections", allowing cellular contact, existed between the intra-ovarian rete cords and the groups of germ cells as well as between the surface epithelium and the germ cells. The germ cells in the innermost part of the cortex and lying in contact with the rete cells were those which were the first to enter meiotic prophase. Later, the more peripheral oogonia transformed to oocytes. The first follicular formations occurred at the innermost part of the cortex. The granulosa cell layers were in open connection with the intra-ovarian rete cords. In the mink and ferret, a certain part of the rete system at the hilus differentiated into the hilar rete body. In all animals, the extra-ovarian rete cells were actively secreting. It is proposed that the rete system interacts with the cortex, initiating the start of meiosis and that the rete cells as well as cells of the surface epithelium contribute to the granulosa cell layer.