In two previous communications (Paesi, 1949 a and b) figures were given of the number of follicles of various size found in the ovaries of rats and mice. It was noteworthy that the curves based on these figures always showed some common features, no matter whether the animals had been hypophysectomized or treated with various gonadotrophins. They conformed to a definite type with asymptotic approach to the abscissa axis, but with certain constantly-recurring deviations from the ideal shape. This curve is shown in fig. 1. The two main questions to be answered are: To what is the 'logarithmic' form af the follicle curve due? What causes the main deviations from the ideal shape? The general resemblance of the follicle-curve to an asymptote might be explained in one of several ways: 1) Since in each subsequent stage of development a number of follicles will be eliminated on account of atresia, the
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F. J. A. Paesi (1949) studied this question.