DORSAL RHIZOTOMY DOES NOT ALTER RAT ESTROUS CYCLES OR OVARIAN COMPENSATORY RESPONSES

Rats were subjected to right side dorsal rhizotomy of spinal nerves T1 2-L2 and ipsi- or contralateral unilateral ovariectomy at estrus (day 1). Estrous cycles were recorded daily, and on day 15 the remaining ov ary was removed and weighed. Antral follicles were counted in represen tative day 1 and day 15 ovaries. Dorsal rhizotomy did not affect estro us cycles during the period after surgery. Also dorsal rhizotomy did n ot alter ipsilateral ovarian hypertrophy or follicular activation foll owing unilateral ovariectomy. Thus, although the major portion of the ovarian sensory innervation is via the lesioned segments, interruption of these segments centrally does not alter compensatory ovarian respo nses subsequent to unilateral ovariectomy.