Short- and Long-term Response of the Adult Dog Ovary after 1200 R Whole-body X-irradiation and Transfusion of Mononuclear Leukocytes

Summary

The effect of 1200 R whole-body X-irradiation after transfusion of mononuclear blood cells was investigated in 34 dog ovaries (beagle) for 6–1460 days after irradiation.

Morphological observations suggest that gonadal and extragonadal function regenerated after irradiation. Follicular growth started 60 days after irradiation. The time required for follicular maturation was inferred to be about 110 days and the time of first ovulation about 170 days. Graafian follicles and corpora lutea were found 2, 3 and 4 years later. A pregnancy occurred 2 years after irradiation.

Larger, growing and vesicular follicles were primarily affected by irradiation-induced atresia with damage of the granulosa. Oocytes appeared to be normal, even without the supporting granulosa cells (‘naked oocytes’). The interstitial cortical tissue of the ovaries reacted in two ways. Either, it remained inactive (radiation effect I) or it showed the endocrine structure of mature interstitial gland cells (radiation effect II). Microadenomata were observed 195 days after irradiation.