A method for separating the granulosa cells, the basal lamina and the theca of the preovulatory ovarian follicle of the domestic fowl ( Gallus domesticus )

The preovulatory follicle of the domestic hen is almost certainly a steroid-producing structure (see Shahabi, Norton & Nalbandov, 1975). However, the details of steroidogenesis are unknown because studies are complicated by the presence of steroidogenic cells of two types, the granulosa and the thecal interstitial cells (Text-fig. 1). Furthermore, it is difficult to obtain preparations free from large amounts of yolk which interfere with the analytical techniques.