Studies on the morphology of the isolated perfused rabbit ovary. II. Ovulation in vitro after HCG-treatment in vivo.

Ovulation was induced in rabbits by intravenous administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), and 4-5 h later the ovaries were isolated and introduced into an in-vitro perfusion system containing synthetic medium with albumin. Rupture of follicles occurred in vitro within the physiological time range (mean 11.3 h after injection of HCG), although with a reduced frequency. Preovulatory and ruptured follicles were studied in detail by light and electron microscopy. In the granulosa layer of ruptured or preovulatory follicles cytoplasmic blebbing activity, disappearance of Call-Exner bodies and differentiation toward luteinized cells were found. Perhaps the most important sign of normal preovulatory development in vitro was that the basement membrane surrounding the granulosa layer was penetrated by projections of granulosa cells. In the absence of this penetration phenomenon the granulosa layer prolapsed out of the follicle. Immediately before rupture, follicles showed marked degeneration, restricted to the outer layers of the apical wall, which is compatible with the hypothesis that degradative enzymes are released close to the surface of preovulatory follicles. Although the majority of follicles that ovulated under in-vitro conditions showed the same kind of morphological alterations as can be seen in vivo, occasional atypical ruptures occurred without any overt signs during perfusion. Also technical manipulations of the perfusion system, e.g., nonphysiological increase of perfusion pressure, could force follicles to rupture. This illustrates the importance of careful morphological study of all ovaries perfused in vitro before conclusions are drawn.