Morphological and ultrastructural postnatal development of ovarium and oviduct in guinea pig

In this study, morphological and ultrastructural changes on ovaries and on oviducts of guinea pigs during postnatal development were investigated. The study population was consist of 56 female guinea pigs which were divided into seven groups according to age; 1 days, 2,4,6,12,18 week and older than 18 weeks. Each group contained 8 guinea pigs. An excellent correlation was found between age and body weight (r=0. 99) age and right ovary weight (r=0.95) and between age and light ovary weight (r=0.98). In the light microscopic studies, it was observed that the surface epithelium around the ovary was consisted of simple cuboidal or low columnar cell arrangements. Polyovular follicles and polynuclear oocytes were not observed. Zona pellusida was found to be PAS. positive. At the 4 week, for the first time follicles with antrum appeared. Theca interna and externa were obvious in secondary follicles and in follicles with antrum. The oviduct was lined with uniform layer of simple columnar epithelium. In the oviductal epithelium, the cytoplasm of non-ciliated cells was stained more densely with toluidine blue than that of the ciliated cells. The myosalpinx was consisted of an inner longitudinal layer and an outer circular layer. At the 4th and 6th weeks an increase was detected in the height of mucosal folds and lumen diameter of oviduct. In the electron microscopic studies, it was shown that surface epithelium cells of ovaries usual cytoplasmic structures such as the Golgi complex and mitochondria. The basement membrane beneath the epithelium was gradually increased in thickness. Electron-dense elements and lipid inclusions were observed in the cytoplasm of surface epithelial cells. Almost all nuclei displayed distinct lobulation. Most of the epitelial cells of oviduct were either ciliated cells or secretory cells. The most conspicious characteristics of the secretory cells, based on their staining property, was the presence of two types of secretory granules: those with a homogenous electron-dense matrix and those with an electron-lucent matrix. Some of these granules had an electron-dense spot within the homogenous matrix. Cilia and microvilli were observed to extend from the surface of the cell into the lumen. The mitochondria of the ciliated cell were numerous, located mostly in the supranuclear region. In conclusion, macro, micro and ultra data obtained in this study were seen to differ from some literatüre knowledge. The reason for this may be due to differences in age, feeding, race and measurement techniques.