Changes in the ovary of the mouse following exposure to X-Rays. Part IV.— The corpus luteum in the sterilized ovary, and some concluding experiments

Abstract

The previous papers of. this series dealt only in a brief and general manner with the effect of X-ray sterilization on the corpora lutea. The present paper, the last of the series, includes more extensive work aimed at removing this deficiency. The work was begun by irradiating pregnant animals, but owing to the technical difficulties the greater part of it was carried out on lactating animals. In this paper it will be shown that the degenerative changes in the corpora lutea of pregnancy and lactation take place very slowly after sterilization, although they begin at the normal time. The corpora lutea become, in fact, practically permanent structures. The oestrous cycles of both these series of animals are dealt with elsewhere (9) by one of us, where it is shown that these “permanent” corpora lutea do not retain their oestrous-inhibiting power for any appreciable period after what would be the functional life of the normal corpus luteum. Moreover, the possible duration of lactation is not affected by sterilization at the beginning of suckling. The histology of the ovaries discussed in this paper is essentially similar to that found in the animals previously described (1,2, and 3) and need not be dealt with at length.