Differences in mouse ovarian cells as distinguished by horseradish peroxidase labelling.

The extracellular space of mouse ovarian follicles and stroma contained horseradish peroxidase (HRP) reaction product one minute after intravenous injection of the tracer. In addition to pinocytotic uptake of the tracer, non-vesicular staining with HRP reaction product, heretofore unrecognized, was noted in a variety of ovarian cell-types. This diffuse staining was correlated with changes in cellular morphology suggestive of degeneration. These findings are discussed in relation to the composition of cell populations comprising follicles and ovarian stroma and alterations in cell function.