DESTRUCTION OF PREANTRAL FOLLICLES IN ADULT-RATS BY 4-VINYL-1-CYCLOHEXENE DIEPOXIDE

4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) is known to destroy oocytes in o varies of immature rats. Since ovaries functionally differ between imm ature and adult animals, were examined the effect of VCD on oocytes in adult rats. Adult (58 days) and immature (28 days) rats were injected daily (30 days) with vehicle or VCD. Each group contained 10 rats. Du ring this time, cyclicity was determined daily by vaginal cytology. An imals were terminated on day 31 and tissues were collected. Oocytes we re counted; livers, spleens, and uteri were weighed. VCD reduced the n umber of regular estrous cycles/30 days in adults, but not immature ra ts (n = 20, P < 0.05). VCD reduced the number of oocytes in adult and immature rats (n = 20, P < 0.05). Liver, spleen, or ovarian weights we re not affected by VCD in either group. VCD reduced uterine weight in adult (n = 20, P < 0.05) but not in immature rats. These results demon strate that VCD decreases uterine weight in adult rats and as with imm ature rats, selectively destroys oocytes in ovaries of adults.