MORPHOLOGICAL-CHANGES OF THE OVARY AND HORMONAL CHANGES THROUGH THE OVARIAN CYCLE DF THE COMMON MARMOSET (CALLITHRIX-JACCHUS)

Laparoscopic observations of morphological changes of the ovary during the ovarian cycle in conjunction with radioimmunoassay of serum proge sterone and estradiol-17 beta was investigated as a method of monitori ng the ovarian cycle in the common marmoset. In the common marmoset, p lural follicles first appeared in each ovary five days prior to ovulat ion. At three to four days prior to ovulation one or two follicles dev eloped into translucent blisters on the surface of the ovary. As the f ollicles filled with follicular fluid, they became larger and clearer until one to two days prior to ovulation, at which time they formed we ll defined, transparent bubbles protruding from the surface of the ova ry. After ovulation, the ovulation point could be detected at the cent er of the follicle, sometimes surrounded by a corpus of engorged blood vessels. Ovulations of the plural follicles were not simultaneous, an d due to the time lag ovulations took at least 12 to 20 hrs in four ou t of seven animals examined. After two to five days of ovulation the c orpus hemorragicum, a bright red protrusion made of tissue and blood d isrupted by ovulation, was found. Subsequently, the color of the forma tted corpus luteum changed from dark-red to yellow then to yellow whit e. While the corpus luteum remained reddish in color serum progesteron e was maintained at as high levels as in the luteal phase. There was n o mature follicle or corpus luteum in subordinate female ovaries.