DISTRIBUTION OF LEUKOCYTE SUBTYPES IN THE SHEEP OVARY AFTER LASER DRILLING

The distribution of leukocyte subtypes in the sheep ovary following la ser drilling of the ovarian capsule was examined to understand a possi ble mechanism by which this treatment promotes ovulation in polycystic ovarian syndrome. Ovaries were removed from sheep at different time-p oints following laparoscopic laser drilling and immunohistochemical de tection of leukocyte subtypes, using specific monoclonal antibodies; s tandard histological staining was performed, Migration of leukocytes i nto the laser-drilled site was observed as early as 6 h after laser dr illing and the total number of leukocytes in the site was found to inc rease up to the 12th day after surgery, In the earlier period, polymor phonuclear leukocytes were the dominant leukocyte subtypes, while macr ophages and lymphocytes were the major cellular components on the 12th day and later. These results show that the tissue changes in the ovar y following laser drilling are consistent with a local inflammatory re action, The prolonged appearance of numerous macrophages following the acute inflammatory phase could lead to the secretion of cytokines and other substances suggested to be important in promoting ovulation. Th ese data indicate that part of the effectiveness of the laser drilling in polycystic ovarian syndrome may be attributable to the secretory p roducts of these leukocytes.