Fig. 3

Photomicrograph illustrating the collagen fibers distribution in the sheep ovary during the follicular phase. A Showing ovarian surface epithelium (arrowhead) and tunica albuginea formed of dense irregular collagenous connective tissue. B Showing atretic follicle with a collagenous connective tissue core (AF), growing follicle (GF) surrounded by theca folliculi with few collegen fibers, and loose connective tissue of ovaian cortex with collgen fibers (C). C Showing corpus albicans (CA) which composed of dense irregular collegen fibers. D & E Showing mature graafian follicle which consisted of oocyte (O), zona pellucida (arrowhead), corona radiate (CR), cumulus oopherous (CO), large follicular cavity (FC) filled with follicular fluid, zona granulosa (ZG), Basement membrane (arrow), theca folliculi (TF) which formed of theca interna (TI) and theca externa (TE) with many collagen fibers. F Showing atretic anteral follicle with thinning of zona granulosa (become single layer) and thickening and proliferation of theca interna with proliferation of collagen fibers (arrow). Original magnification; A & D: X100, scale bar = 200 µm, B: X40, scale bar = 500 µm, C & E: X200, scale bar = 100 µm, F: X 400, scale bar = 50 µm, Crossmon's trichrome technique