The induction of meiosis by ovaries of newborn hamsters and its relation to the action of the extra ovarian structures in the mesovarium (rete ovarii)

With a quantitative approach it was possible to characterize the meiosis inducing activities of the ovary and the extra ovarian structures (rete ovarii). While the ovarian inducing capacity rises with age and remains high on days 14 and 15 post partum at the end of the prophase of the first meiotic division, the rete ovarii shows meiosis inducing activity up to day 5 post partum and an inhibitory activity on meiosis onset in the ovary in the 14 and 15 day old animals. The early activity of the rete ovarii seems to be more of a maturing nature on the germ cells in meiosis.