Summary
The granulosa cells of the ovarian follicle of the rat and the domestic fowl have been studied with the light and electron microscope. The nuclei of the granulosa cells were irregular with indentations and large in proportion to the cytoplasm of the cell. The mitochondria had a dense, dark matrix with only few cristac. The Golgi apparatus was moderately developed, located towards the oocyte in a juxtanuclear position. The endoplasmic reticulum was rather sparse. Lipid droplets were only occasionally encountered. Microtubules were regularly observed. The functions of the granulosa cells are discussed. Compared with the steroid-producing cells of the theca interna of the same follicles, the granulosa cells primarily are the nursing cells for the growing oocyte and mainly have the characteristics of protein forming cells.
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Dahl, E. The fine structure of the granulosa cells in the domestic fowl and the rat. Z. Zellforsch. 119, 58–67 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00330538
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00330538