Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Studies of the fine structure of ovarian interstitial tissue

3. The innervation of the thecal gland of the domestic fowl

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The fine structure of the nerves of the ovarian stroma of the domestic fowl is described for the first time. In the fowl, the nerves are concentrated upon blood vessels, smoth muscles and mainly, the thecal gland with the steroid-producing cells. Myelinated as well as unmyelinated nerve fibers were observed. Numerous axon terminals representing adrenergic and also presumptive cholinergic nerve fibers are regularly seen in membranous contact with steroid-producing cells. In these axon terminals microvesicles are oriented towards the steroid-producing cells indicating a specialization of the surface from axon-to-cell contact. Evidence has been presented that there is a membranous neuro-humoral contact between the peripheral autonomie nervous system and the steroid-producing cells in the ovary. The present investigation has demonstrated that there is morphologic evidence for a nervous control of steroid-producing cells. The physiological importance of this neuro-humoral contact is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Biswall, G.: Additional histological findings in the chicken reproductive tract. Poult. Sci. 83, 843–851 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bocura, K.: Nachweis von chromaffinem Gewebe und wirklichen Ganglienzellen in Ovar. Wien. klin. Wschr. 20, 695–699 (1907).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bondareff, W.: Submicroscopic morphology of granular vesicles in sympathetic nerves of rat pineal body. Z. Zellforsch. 67, 211–218 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Gordon, B.: Submicroscopic localization of norepinephrine in sympathetic nerves of rat pineal. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 153, 42–47 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, O. C.: The structure of the fowl, 3rd ed., p. 60. Edinburgh-London: Oliver and Boyd 1950.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brill, W.: Untersuchungen über die Nerven des Ovariums. Arch. mikr. Anat. 86, 338–344 (1915).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, E.: Studies of the fine structure of ovarian interstitial tissue. 1. A comparative study of the fine structure of the ovarian interstitial tissue in the rat and the domestic fowl. Z. Zellforsch., to be published (1970a).

  • - Studies of the fine structure of ovarian interstitial tissue. 2. The ultrastructure of the thecal gland of the domestic fowl. Z. Zellforsch., to be published (1970b).

  • - Studies of the fine structure of ovarian interstitial tissue. 4. Effects of steroids on the thecal gland of the domestic fowl. Z. Zellforsch., to be published (1970c).

  • - Studies of the fine structure of ovarian interstitial tissue. 5. Effects of gonadotropins on the thecal gland of the domestic fowl. Z. Zellforsch., to be published (1970d).

  • - Studies of the fine structure of ovarian interstitial tissue. 6. Effects of clomiphene on the thecal gland of the domestic fowl. Z. Zellforsch., to be published (1970e).

  • Esterhuizen, A. C., Spriggs, T. L. B., Lever, J. D.: Axon headings in autonomie cholinergic nerves. J. Cell Biol. 38, 454–457 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Frankenhaueser, F.: Die Nerven der Gebärmutter und ihre Endigung in den glatten Muskelfasern. 82 pp. Jena: F. von Mauke 1867.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, A. B.: Innervation of the ovarian follicle of the domestic fowl. Quart. J. exp. Physiol. 50, 437–445 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Goecke, H.: Die Endausbreitung des vegetativen Nervengewebes im menschlichen Ovarium und ihre Bedeutung für die Funktion des Ovariums. Arch. Gynäk. 166, 187–189 (1938).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Beaufays, J.: Neurohistologische Untersuchungen am Ovarium. Arch. Gynäk. 160, 571–579 (1935).

    Google Scholar 

  • Herff, O. von: Über den feineren Verlauf der Nerven im Eierstocke des Menschen. Z. Geburtsh. Gynäk. 24, 289–308 (1892).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hertting, G., Axelrod, J.: Fate of triated noradrenaline at the sympathetic nerve-endings. Nature (Lond.) 192, 172–173 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kjaerheim, A.: Studies of adrenocortical ultrastructure. 1. Aldehyde perfusion fixation of the domestic fowl. Acta anat. (Basel) 74, 424–453 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kladetzky, J.: Über die Innervation des Ovariums. Nach Untersuchungen an einigen Säugern. Arch. Gynäk. 179, 363–383 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • Koppen, K.: Die vegetative Innervation der weiblichen Genitalorgane beim Menschen und ihre psychophysische Problematik. Acta neuroveg. (Wien) 3, 333–345 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuntz, A.: The autonomie nervous system, 3rd ed. 687 pp. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger 1945.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lever, J. D., Graham, J. D. P., Irvine, G., Chick, W. J.: The vesiculated axons in relation to arteriolar smooth muscle in the pancreas. A fine structural and quantitative study. J. Anat. (Lond.) 99, 299–313 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Spriggs, T. L. B., Graham, J. D. P.: A formol-fluorescence, fine-structural and autoradiographie study of the adrenergic innervation of the vascular tree in the intact and sympathectomized pancreas of the cat. J. Anat. (Lond.) 103, 15–34 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandl, L.: Über Anordnung und Endigungsweise der Nerven im Ovarium. Arch. Gynäk. 48, 376–392 (1895).

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, A. J., Coombs, C. J. F.: The interaction of environmental, internal and behavioural factors in the rook, Corvus F. frugilegus Linnaeus. Proc. zool. Soc. (Lond.) 128, 545–589 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Michaelson, I. A., Richardson, R. C., Snyder, S. N., Titus, E. O.: The separation of catecholamine storage vesicles from rat heart. Life Sci. 3, 971–978 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Millen, J. W.: Observations on the innervation of blood vessels. J. Anat. (Lond.) 82, 68–80 (1948).

    Google Scholar 

  • Millonig, G.: The advantages of a phosphate buffer for OsO4 solutions in fixation. J. appl. Physiol. 32, 1637 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, R. G., Murray, A.: The fine structure of the taste buds of rhesus and cynomalgus monkeys. Anat. Rec. 138, 211–233 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Fine structure of taste buds of rabbit foliate papillae. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 19, 327–353 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pines, L., Schapiro, B.: Über die Innervation des Eierstockes. Z. mikr.-anat. Forsch. 20, 327–372 (1930).

    Google Scholar 

  • Retzius, G.: Über die Nerven der Ovarien und Hoden. Biol. Unters., N. F. 5–31 (1893).

  • Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, K. C.: The fine structure of the albino rabbit iris with special reference to the identification of adrenergic and cholonergic nerves and nerve endings in its intrinsic muscles. Amer. J. Anat. 114, 173–205 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rotchild, I., Fraps, R. M.: On the function of the ruptured ovarian follicle in the domestic fowl. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. (N. Y.) 56, 79–82 (1944).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruskell, G. L.: Vasomotor axons of the lacrimal glands of monkeys and the ultrastructural identification of sympathetic terminals. Z. Zellforsch. 83, 321–333 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryter, A., Kellenberger, E.: L'inclusion au polyester pour l'ultramicrotomie. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 2, 200–214 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Spoendlin, H.: The organization of the cochlear receptor. Fortschr. Hals-Nas.-Ohrenheilk. 13, 185 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Spriggs, T. L., Lever, J. D., Rees, P. M., Graham, J. D. P.: Controlled formaldehydecatecholamine condensation in cryostat sections to show adrenergic. Stain Technol. 41, 323–327 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stöhr, Ph., Jr.: Zusammenfasssende Ergebnisse über die Endigungsweise des Vegetativen Nervensystems. Acta neuroveg. (Wien) 10, 21–109 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Thaemert, J. C.: Ultrastructure of cardiac muscle and nerve contigiutes. J. Cell Biol. 29, 156–162 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Vos, J. de: Ètude de l'innervation de l'ovaire. Bull. Acad. roy. Méd. Belg. Ser. IV, 8, 552–558 (1894).

    Google Scholar 

  • Watzka, M.: Weibliche Genitalorgane. Das Ovarium. In: Handbuch der mikroskopischen Anatomie des Menschen (W. Bargmann ed.), Bd. 7, T. III. 178 pp. Berlin-Göttingen-Heidelberg: Springer 1957.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winterhalter, E. H.: Ein sympathisches Ganglion im menschlichen Ovarium. Arch. Gynäk. 51, 49–55 (1896).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, D. E., Potter, L. T., Richardson, K. C., Axelrod, J.: Localizing tritiated norepinephrine in sympathetic axons by electron microscopic autoradiography. Science 138, 440–442 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood-Gush, D. G. M., Gilbert, A. B.: The control of the nesting behaviour of the domestic hen. II. The role of the ovary. Anim. Behav. 12, 451–453 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Woollard, H. H.: The innervation of blood vessels. In:Heart (T. Lewis ed.), vol. 13, p. 319–336. London: Shaw & Sons Ltd. 1926.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Dental Faculty, University of Oslo, Norway

    Erik Dahl

Authors
  1. Erik Dahl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dahl, E. Studies of the fine structure of ovarian interstitial tissue. Z. Zellforsch. 109, 212–226 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00365242

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00365242

Key-Words

Search

Navigation