This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by OWMAN, CH. Articles by WALLES, B. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by OWMAN, CH. Articles by WALLES, B.

AUTONOMIC NERVES MEDIATING CONTRACTILITY IN THE HUMAN GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE

Departments of Histology, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Zoology, University of Lund, S-223 62 Lund, Sweden

(Received 16th June 1975)

Fluorescence histochemistry has shown that the human ovary is extensively supplied by adrenergic nerves, many of which are not associated with blood vessels and run in close contact with the follicles in a manner suggesting a local innervation (Owman, Rosengren & Sjöberg, 1967). Particular attention has been paid to these adrenergic nerves since it became established by electron microscopy that the theca externa of the follicle contains smooth muscle cells (Okamura, Virutamasen, Wright & Wallach, 1972). In order to elucidate whether the smooth musculature is involved in the contractility of the Graafian follicle, and whether neurogenic mechanisms can influence this function, a study was performed on material obtained from 32—48-year-old patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy because of pains, bleeding, uterine myoma, or preinvasive carcinoma of the cervix. The follicles were dissected out,

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. Dahm-Kahler, C. Lofman, R. Fujii, M. Axelsson, P. O. Janson, and M. Brannstrom An intravital microscopy method permitting continuous long-term observations of ovulation in vivo in the rabbit Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2006; 21(3): 624 - 631. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Lofman, U. Zackrisson, M. Mikuni, M. Block, P. O. Janson, and M. Brannstrom A Method for Longitudinal Microscopic In Vivo Examinations of Morphology, Vascularity, and Motility in the Ovary and the Oviduct of the Rat Reproductive Sciences, November 1, 2002; 9(6): 379 - 385. [Abstract] [PDF]