Journal of Environment and Sociobiology

V. D. Hegde ¹

Affiliations
1 Zological Survey of India, M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata-700 053, IN

Abstract

Effect of melatonin administration in the late photophase on the follicular development, vitellogenesis and atresia in the prepubertal pigeon was investigated. Birds were autopsied after the last injection and ovaries were dissected out and processed for histology. Follicles were separated using the spring scissor and classified based on their diameter, (i) < 75 μm (ii) 76-300 μm and (iii) > 300 μm. In initial control birds, follicles < 75 μm and < 300 μm diameters were found while in final control and melatonin treated birds follicles of < 75 μm, < 300 μm and > 300 μm were found. Significant increase in the number of follicles < 75 μm diameter and atretic follicles were found in melatonin treated pigeons. Early vitellogenic follicles were absent in melatonin treated pigeons. The present study suggests that the treatment with melatonin in late photophase to prepubertal female pigeos affects the growth of the follicles and inhibits the formation of vitellogenic follicles.

Keywords

Prepubertal, Melatonin, Photophase, Follicles, Columba livia.

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V. D. Hegde ¹

Affiliations
1 Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata 700 053, IN

Abstract

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

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