Development of Rete Ovarii in the Domestic Pigeon, Columba livia

Rete ovarii is the secondary sexual organ which is supposed to have a secretory activity. There are three parts in rete ovarii: 1) Intraovarian Rete (lOR), 2) Extraovarian Rete (EOR) and Connecting Rete (CR). The intraovarian rete is supposed to be non-ciliated, whereas the connecting rete is lined by ciliated epithelial cells (McEntee, 1990). The role of rete ovarii in the follicle formation of mouse ovary was studied (Byskov and Moore 1973; Byskov et al, 1977). Further, the rete ovarii is supposed to initiate meiosis and follicle formation in the cat, mink and ferret (Byskov, 1975). The anatomy and ultrastructure of the rete system was also studied (Byskov, 1978). Rete ovarii cells of the human ovary was studied by Czemobilsky et al. (1985). Perusal of literature reveals that no study has been done on the rete system of birds. Hence, an attempt is made to throw light on the rete ovarii of the domestic pigeon, Cohimba livia