Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2002 May;45(5):828-835.

Electron Microscopic Studies on Granulosa Cell Apoptosis by gamma-Radiation in the Mouse Ovary

• Lee JM
• Lee CJ
• Song KW
• Park MH
• Kang JS

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Most of the follicles in mammalian ovaries are degenerated throughout the whole reproductive life. The present study was carried out to know the effect of gamma-irradiation on the ultrastructural changes of the immature mouse ovarian follicles.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Whole body of mice (ICR strain, 3 weeks old) were irradiated with a half lethal dose (7.2 Gy) for 1 hour. Ovaries were obtained at hour 0 and day 1, 2, 3 after the gamma-irradiation of whole body. The right ovary was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for light microscopic examination and the left one was fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde for the electron microscopic study.
RESULTS
The atretic follicles was significantly increased in number on day 2 and 3 after gamma-irradiation. Increased apoptotic bodies and cell debris are observed in the irradiated ovarian follicles. Numerous neutrophils were infiltrated in the gamma-irradiation induced atretic follicular cavities. Also it was observed that macrophages or macrophage-like cells were actively engulfed the cellular fragments in the antrum.
CONCLUSION
It suggests that the gamma-irradiation induced degeneration of ovarian follicles was mediated by apoptosis of granulosa cells as well as the inflammatory response in the follicular antrum.

Keyword

Ovary; Follicular Atresia; Apoptosis; Granulosa Cell; Electron Microscopy

MeSH Terms

Animals
Apoptosis*
Female
Follicular Atresia
Formaldehyde
Glutaral
Granulosa Cells*
Macrophages
Mice*
Microscopy, Electron
Neutrophils
Ovarian Follicle
Ovary*
Formaldehyde
Glutaral