Immunization of Rabbits Against FSH and Effects on the Zona Pellucida

Abstract

The effects of active FSH immunization on the ovarian morphology of adult rabbits were studied. Rabbits were immunized intradermally in multiple sites with antibodies to ovine FSH. Both the macroscopic morphology and the weight of the ovaries of the experimental rabbits were similar to those of the controls. Multiple branched projections of the granulosa cells were seen in the experimental rabbits. These projections had higher electron density than the rest of the cell. The zona pellucida was not formed although the growing follicles were large enough to have a completely formed layer. Disturbance of the metabolism of the follicular cells, due to the lack of endogenous FSH, could explain this abnormality.