The corpora lutea of the mouse, with special reference to fat accumulation during the œstrous cycle

Abstract

Although the histological literature on the corpus luteum is very extensive, a description of cellular and fat changes in the organ, which distinguishes between the corpora lutea of ovulabion, pseudo-pregnancy, pregnancy, and lactation where these are differentiated, is still lacking for some laboratory animals. In view of experimental work now in progress, it was thought that a short account of the mouse corpus luteum on these lines might be of value. In the absence of pregnancy, old corpora lutea persist for a considerable period in the mouse ovary, and after the initial signs of cellular degeneration, which are not always very obvious, further changes are slow to occur. With suitable histological methods, however, it is possible to distinguish, even after they are fully developed, the corpora lutea belonging to the last one and sometimes two or more oestrous periods.