Cellular changes, protein and glycogen content in developing rabbit corpora lutea

The glycogen, protein and absolute cell numbers of the developing rabbit corpus luteum were measured from 24 hours to 192 hours after mating. There was no significant alteration in the protein content, which was approximately 9%. The glycogen content increased significantly from 0.14% at 24 hours to 0.26% at 120 hours and subsequently remained constant. The cell numbers were determined by homogenizing the tissue and the nuclei were counted in a Neubauer hemocytometer. The total cell numbers increased from 10 × 10 4 , of which 65% (6.3 × 10 4 ) were luteal cells, to 67 × 10 4 where 21% (9.8 × 10 4 ) were luteal cells. It was not determined whether the increase in luteal cells was due to mitotic division or transformation of the other cell types into luteal cells.