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Introduction

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Atlas of the Mammalian Ovary

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Abstract

The ovary has been an area of great interest in reproductive endocrinology since the nineteenth century. The intricate morphology of this organ is subjected to high plasticity. Changing structures include follicles, corpora lutea (CLs), as well as the cortex with the interstitial gland cells. Tissue turnover is well balanced as deduced from the stable size of the ovary during reproductive life. Stability is maintained in spite of repeated tissue wounding and healing due to cyclic follicle ruptures and to CL formation and regression. The endocrine system alone is not equipped with appropriate tools to manage these enormous tasks. Innate immunity (INIM) is emerging as the assumed mighty force that recognizes dangerous places within the organ. INIM has the physiological ability to regulate tissue wounding and healing through inflammatory and anti-inflammatory events without causing final harm to the ovary. On the other hand, INIM function seems to remain quiescent in spite of tissue remodeling caused by ingrowth of antral follicles from the outer cortex toward the medulla. Tissue remodeling also occurs during follicular atresia and the transformation of interstitial gland cells from the active type into the inactive type. This atlas on “young” ovaries from small rodents, rabbits, and dogs reveals complex ovarian processes and the possible role of active or quiescent INIM function in places of danger.

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  1. Institute of Anatomy University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany

    Katharina Spanel-Borowski

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Spanel-Borowski, K. (2012). Introduction. In: Atlas of the Mammalian Ovary. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-30535-1_1

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