Studies on the ovary of the spermophile (Spermophilus citellus tridecemlineatus) with special reference to the corpus luteum

Abstract

DELLA DRIPS from the internal theca of the follicle according to the hypothesis of von Baer, or were they epithelial in nature and derived from the membrana granulosa of the follicle as advocated by Bischoff?A!Iarshall, in his book, "The Physiology of Reproduction" ('lo), carefully reviews this early literature.1% was not until Sobotta ('96) published the first of his series of papers on the corpus luteurn that the discussion over the origin of the luteal cells began to come to an end.Sobotta's study on the corpus luteum of the mouse was the first systematic record of the transformation of the follicle into a corpus luteum and the latter's subsdquent development.He describes, first, the follicle about to burst; then, one just after bursting; one, one-half hour afterward, and others at succeeding short intervals up to seventy-two hours after bursting.All the descriptions are very detailed, every change in the structure as it proceeds in its development being noted.Sobotta traces the origin of the luteal cells t o the epithelial cells of the granulosa of the follicle.The internal theca cells, he says, expend themselves utterly in the formation of connective tissue and blood-vessels.The external theca remains as it was.Sobotta believed the function of the corpora lutea was to maintain a constant equal tension in the ovaries, which shows how little thought he gave t o this phase of the problem.He was all absorbed in the formation of the luteal structure.This paper of Sobotta's was followed shortly by a very similar one on the rabbit, in which he confirmed all of his findings in the mouse.These papers started a real investigation of the corpus luteum, and for the following ten or fifteen years there were any number of papers written regarding it.A few writers continued the discussion as to the origin of the luteal cells.Some criticised Sobotta, trying to disprove his statements.Among these was Clarke ('98), who contributed an account of the formation of the corpus luteum in the sow.His studies were made on serial sections af pig's corpora lutea and follicles in different but not subsequent stages of development.The sections in each set were treated alternately to a process of tryptic digestion and a picro-fuchsin stain.From a study of these sections he concludes that the 'THE AMERlC.lX