Histology of Ovary

 T. S. of Ovary of Mammal

The ovary is a female gonad.

1. The ovary is lined by germinal epithelium which is bounded by the connective tissue, the tunica albuginea.

2. The mass of the ovary is called stroma formed of connective tissue rich in

elastic fibers with large blood vessels lymphatic's and nerves.

3. In the stroma are egg cells in the various stages of development, each

surrounded by a nourishing epithelial layer, the follicle and blood vessels.

4. Ovary in  the stroma shows, presence of various stages of developing ova. It includes primary follicle (ovum and a single layer of

follicle cells), secondary follicle (double layered follicle), mature follicle with antrum, ruptured follicle, fully formed corpus luteum and corpus Albicans.

5. The primary follicles develop from primordial follicles present in the germinal epithelium.

6 The follicle and ovum slowly move deeper in to the stroma and become

larger.

Mature follicles show presence of follicular cavity filled with follicular fluid called estrogen.

7. Later ovum and cells around it become separated by fluid filled space from the rest of the follicle except at one point forming antrum.

8. The enlargement of the ovum and follicle results in the formation of a mature follicle or graffian follicle.

Function of ovary

a.     Production of ova.

b.     Developing the follicle produces estrogen hormone which controls female secondary sex characters.