The isolated perfused rabbit ovary-a model for studies of ovarian function. Ultrastructure after perfusion with different media.

In the present investigation the ultrastructure of isolated rabbit ovaries, perfused with different media for various time periods, was studied. The steroid hormone production by the perfused ovary was also determined. Perfusion with Medium 199 results in prominent interstitial ovarian oedema which increases with perfusion time. Even after the addition of 6-10% Dextran T40, oedema appears in the interstitial tissue of the ovary. Perfusion solutions with osmotically active colloid particles of large molecular size (Dextran T70; average molecular weight 70,000 and bovine serum albumin), cause less distortion in the ovarian structure, and ultrastructurally the ovarian tissues appear essentially the same as in the control ovaries. The results indicate that the perfused rabbit ovary, under strictly controlled conditions, can be used as an experimental model for studies of various aspects of ovarian function, including follicular rupture.