Blood vessels have been localized using histochemical method in different compartments of the ovary of 10 and 17 week old pullets. Vascularity initially develops in follicles located at the periphery of the group of quiescent primordial follicles probably in those selected for further growth. These follicles receive their blood supply from the side facing towards the ovarian stroma. Advancement of the stage of growth of follicle is accompanied by an increase in the number of blood vessels in thecal layer of follicle. However, in the atretic follicle vascularity is considerably reduced in the thecal layer with the simultaneous increase in the perifollicular tissue. Oestradiol-17β administration to 17 weeks old chicks greatly increases the vascular supply to different compartments of the ovary particularly to growing follicles, whereas HCG and 11α-hydroxy progesterone treatment showed the reverse effects.
Chick, microvasculature, ovary
