Histology of ovary

By Dr. Mudassar Ali Roomi (MBBS, M. Phil)

Female Reproductive System

ovary
Both endocrine and exocrine function Surface of ovary is covered by simple cuboidal epithelium (germinal epithelium). Two zone on cut section: 1. Cortex and 2. Medulla Medulla consists of loose fibroelastic C.T. containing blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves. Cortex contains scattered ovarian follicles in different stages of development.

 Cortex contains a compact richly cellular C.T. stroma. Stroma contains spindle shaped fibroblasts Near the periphery, stroma makes a dense irregular fibrous C.T. layer called as tunica albuginea (capsule). Stromal cells contribute to the formation of C.T. covering (theca folliculi) around the growing ovarian follicles.

Stroma of ovary

Early Development of the Ovary

In the first month of embryonic life, a small population of primordial germ cells migrates from the yolk sac to the gonadal primordia. In the gonads these cells divide extensively and differentiate as oogonia. In developing ovaries of a two-month embryo there are about 600,000 oogonia which produce more than 7 million by the fifth month. Beginning in the third month, oogonia enter the prophase of the first meiotic division. These cells arrested in meiosis are called primary oocytes . Each primary oocyte becomes surrounded by flattened supportive cells called follicular cells within an ovarian follicle. At puberty the ovaries contain about 300,000 oocytes. Because generally only one oocyte resumes meiosis with ovulation during each menstrual cycle (average duration, 28 days) and the reproductive life of a woman lasts about 3040 years, only about 450 oocytes are liberated from ovaries by ovulation. All others degenerate through atresia. What is the relation of dictyotate pause with the maternal age?

Ovarian follicles
Definition: An ovarian follicle is a spherical structure containing an ovum which is surrounded by a number of epithelial cells. A connective tissue covering may also be present. Three varieties of ovarian follicles: 1. Primordial follicles 2. Growing follicles 3. Mature (Graafian) follicle

Primordial follicles
Primordial follicle= primary oocyte arrested in prophase of meiosis I + single layer of flat epithelial follicular cells. Diameter= 30 um Ovum has eccentric vesicular nucleus with prominent nucleolus.

Growing follicles
Primary follicles: not dependent on FSH 1. Unilaminar primary follicle 2. Multilaminar primary follicle Secondary (antral) follicles: Dependent on FSH

Unilaminar primary follicle

Develop from primordial follices Composed of a single layer of cuboidal follicular cells surrounding the primary oocyte. Zona pellucida starts appearing

multilaminar primary follicle

Develop from unilaminar follicles Stratum granulosum: several layers of follicular cells (granulosa cells) separated from theca by basal membrane. Theca interna theca externa

Secondary (antral) follicle

Liquor folliculi is the exudate of plasma rich in hormones and begins to accumulate in the spaces b/w granulosa cells. Small cavities develop which later on fuse to make a single large crescent shaped cavity called antrum folliculi Gap junctions are present b/w granulosa cells and oocyte and granulosa cells

Mature (Graafian) follicle

It is the dominant among the secondary follicles and it will ovulate. Other follicles which enter the ovarian cycle die (Follicular Atresia). 2.5 cm in diameter Evident as a large bulge on the surface of ovary (stigma) Cumulus oophorus Corona radiata Membrana granulosa Theca interna cells manufacture androgens which are converted into estrogens by granulosa cells.

Ovulation
Dependent on LH surge fro the pituitary 1st meiotic division is completed just prior to ovulation*** Secondary oocyte is formed and stops at metaphase II Corpus hemorrhagicus is formed from the remnants of the Graafian follicle

Stage`

Zona pellucida

Follicular cell layer (granulosa)

Liquor folliculi theca

Hormone dependency Dependent on local factors Dependent on local factors

1. Primordial follicle 2. Unilaminar primary follicle

Not present** Single layer of Not present flat cells present Single layer of Not present cuboidal cells

not present

not present

3multilaminar present primary follicle

4.Secondary (antral) follicle present

Multiple layers of granulosa cells

Not present

present

Dependent on local factors

Spaces among Accumulates granulosa in spaces cells among granulosa cells Form membrane granulosa, cumulus Fills the antrum

present

FHS dependent

5. Mature (Graafian) follicle

present

present

FHS, LH dependent