Ovarian follicular development in the pregnant hamster

Follicular activity in the ovary of the pregnant hamster is divided into two periods. During the first eight days (corresponding to the duration of pseudopregnancy) an average of 11 follicles per ovary from 277 to 553 μ are present. From day 10 to 16 of pregnancy, the ovary contains 22 follicles ranging from 277 to 600 μ and larger. The day after parturition, atresia destroys all large multilayered and vesicular follicles. Hamsters injected with human chorionic gonadotropin on day 4 of pregnancy ovulated ten ova, whereas similary treated day 12 animals ovulated 35 eggs. No cyclic follicular activity corresponding to the length of the estrous cycle occurred during gestation. On the contrary, a constant increment of small follicles took place throughout pregnancy.