Ultrastructural changes of the stigma of the follicle during the process of ovulation in the hen.

No structural changes could be observed in the stigma until 2 h before ovulation. Within a few minutes of ovulation, the stratum granulosum and theca interna disappear completely in the middle part of the stigma. By 30 min before ovulation, the rough endoplasmic reticulum in the fibroblasts of the theca externa develops conspicuously. Then a few minutes before ovulation, the theca externa becomes much thinner with a conspicuous disintegration of the collagenous fibers into individual fibrils. These structural changes may contribute to the fragility of the stigma tissue and induce rupture of the follicle.