Comparative Studies on Gonad Development in Eutherian and Marsupial Mammals

Dairi, Mahin (1988) Comparative Studies on Gonad Development in Eutherian and Marsupial Mammals. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

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Abstract

The origins of the somatic cells of the mammalian gonad are still controversial. This histological study was prompted by a lack of information on this topic in marsupials. An attempt has been made to trace the origins of the blastema, granulosa cells, polyovular follicles (POFs), interstitial tissue (IT) and the rete ovarii. This study provides a description of gonad development in mouse (early stages only) and 3 macropod species, namely: the tammar wallaby, the bettong and the potoroo. It was found that the blastema in both the mouse and the macropods has a dual origin. While in mouse embryos it arises from the mesothelial and mesonephric tubule cells, in the macropods studied it derives from the mesothelium and the mesenchyme. In contradistinction to some eutherians, in the bettong and potoroo the granulosa cells derive from the medullary cords which have a blasternal origin. The ovaries of the mouse, bettong and potoroo are similar in that they belong to the type with immediate meiosis. Histochemical and ultrastructural work supports this conclusion: characteristically HSD enzyme was absent from potoroo and Bennett's wallaby ovaries at early stages of development. In the potoroo POFs arise from isolated oocytes becoming surrounded by a common envelope of granulosa cells, while the IT derives from the medullary cords. The mode of development of the rete in the potoroo is similar to that reported for some eutherians and all marsupials investigated: it forms from a condensation of cells at the anterior end of the gonadal rudiment. The extent to which it develops within the ovaries, however, varies in different marsupials.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Qualification Level: Doctoral
Keywords: Developmental biology, Morphology
Date of Award: 1988
Depositing User: Enlighten Team
Unique ID: glathesis:1988-77650
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 14 Jan 2020 11:53
Last Modified: 14 Jan 2020 11:53
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/77650

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