Atlas of the Mammalian Ovary [recurso electrónico] : Morphological Dynamics and Potential Role of Innate Immunity

In the era of molecular biology, an atlas that allows a rapid understanding of the complexity of ovarian processes is urgently needed. In this book, the author draws upon her own research, conducted over the past three decades, to provide a unique compilation of high-quality illustrations that offer illuminating insights in a readily accessible form. The ovarian follicles, the corpus luteum, and the interstitial cortex are presented as precisely controlled homeostatic compartments. Physiologic cell death forms and leukocyte subtypes are clearly depicted, and the various steps in the ovulatory process are demonstrated in detail. Further topics addressed include the microvascular bed, the plasticity of intraovarian nerves as part of the remodelling processes in the polycystic and the menopausal ovary, and the role of cytokeratin-positive cells (of steroidogenic or microvascular origin) as messengers of innate immunity. This atlas will be a fascinating and informative resource for both trainees and more experienced professionals Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Introduction....Pages 1-8 Follicle Stages and Follicular Atresia....Pages 9-22 Follicular Atresia as a Proliferative and Inflammatory Event....Pages 23-29 The Cortex and Cellular Stromatolysis....Pages 31-37 The Ovulatory Period as Acute Inflammatory Response to Oxidative Stress and Follicle Cell Harvest....Pages 39-59 Corpus Luteum Life Cycle with Focus on Capillary Sprouting and Regression, Eosinophils, and KIT-Positive Cells....Pages 61-79 Intraovarian Oocyte Release (IOR) with Severe Tissue Damage....Pages 81-97 Vascular Stromatolysis and Vascular Luteolysis for Bulk Tissue Removal....Pages 99-107 Polycystic and Postmenopausal Ovaries with Negligible Mast Cells....Pages 109-114 Cytokeratin-Positive Cells as Dendritic-Like Cells and Potential Albumin Coexpression in Follicles and CL....Pages 115-126 Aspects of Immunological Control, Novel Concepts, Challenges, and Clinical Perspectives....Pages 127-132 Back Matter....Pages 133-141