NUCLEIC-ACID SYNTHESIS IN THE DEVELOPING MOUSE OVARY, UTERUS AND OVIDUCT STUDIED BY LIGHT AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC AUTORADIOGRAPHY

The DNA and RNA synthesis in the developing mouse ovary and oviduct we re studied by H-3-thymidine and H-3-uridine radioautography. The resul ts showed that both DNA and RNA syntheses were active in all surface e pithelial cells, in stromal and follicular cells of the ovaries betwee n postnatal days 1 to 7; then they decreased significantly from day 14 on. However, the DNA synthesis in the epithelial and in the stromal c ells of the uteri and oviducts was active at days 1 and 3 and decrease d from day 7. The RNA synthesis in the uteri and oviducts was active a t postnatal day 1, increased from postnatal day 1 to day 14, decreasin g between days 30 to 60. An unparalleled alternation of the DNA and RN A synthesis was shown between the ovary and uterus or oviduct. After p ostnatal day 3, the RNA synthesis was more important in the uterus and oviduct than in the ovary.