Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 05:42:01 PST<br>
From: saffron <saffron@sghms.ac.uk><br>
Subject: Rat corpus luteum<br>
To: ovary-science@nottingham.ac.uk<br>

Two very basic questions.  A recent paper (Biol Reprod) stated newly 
formed and regressing corpora lutea were easily distinguishable.  "New 
corpora lutea showed steroidogeneic cells with small basophilic 
cytoplasm and exhibited scarce stromal cells.  Regressing CL showed 
steroidogenic cells with large eosinophilic cytoplasm and round 
nuclei, and stromal cells were abundant."  I understand this and can 
identify such components in histological sections.  Having spent 
several hours examining different CL stained with haematoxylin and 
comparing them with the pictures published in the paper I am not 
entirely convinced that I can identify newly formed and regressing CL 
with a 100% certainity.  I certainly could not make that distinction 
from the published pictures wither  Can anyone shed any further light 
on this matter or am I just being incompetent.  Is there another 
marker or yard stick that can be used<br>

At what stage of the rat oestrous cycle is it best to examine 
regressing CL?<bR>

Any help would be appreciated. <BR>

Saffron Whitehead, 
Department Physiology, 
St George's Hospital Medical School 
Cranmer Terrace, 
London SW17 ORE. <BR>

saffron@sghms.ac.uk