Ovary
The human ovaries form part of the female reproductive system and attach to the fallopian tubes
Blood supply of the human female reproductive organs. The left ovary is the oval shaped structure visible above the label "ovarian arteries".
Details
SystemReproductive system
Arteryovarian artery, uterine artery
Veinovarian vein
Nerveovarian plexus
LymphParaaortic lymph node
Identifiers
Latinovarium
MeSHD010053
TA98A09.1.01.001
TA23470
FMA7209
Anatomical terminology

The ovary is a gonad in the female reproductive system that produces ova.[1] When an ovum is released, this travels through the fallopian tube (or oviduct) into the uterus. There is an ovary (from Latin ovarium 'egg, nut') found on the left and the right side of the body. The ovaries also secrete hormones that play a role in the menstrual cycle and fertility. The ovary progresses through many stages beginning in the prenatal period through menopause. It is also an endocrine gland because of the various hormones that it secretes.[2]

Structure

Each ovary is whitish in color and located alongside the lateral wall of the uterus in a region called the ovarian fossa. The ovarian fossa is the region that is bounded by the external iliac artery and in front of the ureter and the internal iliac artery. This area is about 4 cm x 3 cm x 2 cm in size.[3][4]

The ovaries are surrounded by a capsule, and have an outer cortex and an inner medulla.[4] The capsule is of dense connective tissue and is known as the tunica albuginea.[5]

Usually, ovulation occurs in one of the two ovaries releasing an egg each menstrual cycle.

The side of the ovary closest to the fallopian tube is connected to it by infundibulopelvic ligament,[3] and the other side points downwards attached to the uterus via the ovarian ligament.

Other structures and tissues of the ovaries include the hilum.

Ligaments

The ovaries lie within the peritoneal cavity, on either side of the uterus, to which they are attached via a fibrous cord called the ovarian ligament. The ovaries are uncovered in the peritoneal cavity but are tethered to the body wall via the suspensory ligament of the ovary, which is a posterior extension of the broad ligament of the uterus. The part of the broad ligament of the uterus that covers the ovary is known as the mesovarium.[4]

The ovarian pedicle is made up part of the fallopian tube, mesovarium, ovarian ligament, and ovarian blood vessels.[6]

Microanatomy

The surface of the ovaries is covered with a membrane consisting of a lining of simple cuboidal-to-columnar shaped mesothelium,[7] called the germinal epithelium.

Micrograph of the ovarian cortex from a rhesus monkey showing several round follicles embedded in a matrix of stromal cells. A secondary follicle sectioned through the nucleus of an oocyte is at the upper left, and earlier stage follicles are at the lower right. The tissue was stained with the dyes hematoxylin and eosin.

The outer layer is the ovarian cortex, consisting of ovarian follicles and stroma in between them. Included in the follicles are the cumulus oophorus, membrana granulosa (and the granulosa cells inside it), corona radiata, zona pellucida, and primary oocyte. Theca of follicle, antrum and liquor folliculi are also contained in the follicle. Also in the cortex is the corpus luteum derived from the follicles. The innermost layer is the ovarian medulla.[8] It can be hard to distinguish between the cortex and medulla, but follicles are usually not found in the medulla.

Follicular cells are flat epithelial cells that originate from surface epithelium covering the ovary. They are surrounded by granulosa cells that have changed from flat to cuboidal and proliferated to produce a stratified epithelium.

The ovary also contains blood vessels and lymphatics.[9]

Function

At puberty, the ovary begins to secrete increasing levels of hormones. Secondary sex characteristics begin to develop in response to the hormones. The ovary changes structure and function beginning at puberty.[2] Since the ovaries are able to regulate hormones, they also play an important role in pregnancy and fertility. When egg cells (oocytes) are released from the fallopian tube, a variety of feedback mechanisms stimulate the endocrine system, which cause hormone levels to change.[10] These feedback mechanisms are controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Messages or signals from the hypothalamus are sent to the pituitary gland. In turn, the pituitary gland releases hormones to the ovaries. From this signaling, the ovaries release their own hormones.

Gamete production

Main article: Oogenesis
The process of ovulation and gamete production, oogenesis, in a human ovary

The ovaries are the site of production and periodical release of egg cells, the female gametes. In the ovaries, the developing egg cells (or oocytes) mature in the fluid-filled follicles. Typically, only one oocyte develops at a time, but others can also mature simultaneously. Follicles are composed of different types and number of cells according to the stage of their maturation, and their size is indicative of the stage of oocyte development.[11]: 833 

When an oocyte completes its maturation in the ovary, a surge of luteinizing hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland, which stimulates the release of the oocyte through the rupture of the follicle, a process called ovulation.[12] The follicle remains functional and reorganizes into a corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone in order to prepare the uterus for an eventual implantation of the embryo.[11]: 839 

Hormone secretion

At maturity, ovaries secrete estrogen, androgen,[13][14] inhibin, and progestogen.[15][16][2] In women before menopause, 50% of testosterone is produced by the ovaries and released directly into the blood stream. The other 50% of testosterone in the blood stream is made from conversion of the adrenal pre-androgens ( DHEA and androstenedione) to testosterone in other parts of the body. Estrogen is responsible for the appearance of secondary sex characteristics for females at puberty and for the maturation and maintenance of the reproductive organs in their mature functional state. Progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy, and the mammary glands for lactation. Progesterone functions with estrogen by promoting menstrual cycle changes in the endometrium.[medical citation needed]

Ovarian aging

As women age, they experience a decline in reproductive performance leading to menopause. This decline is tied to a decline in the number of ovarian follicles. Although about 1 million oocytes are present at birth in the human ovary, only about 500 (about 0.05%) of these ovulate, and the rest are wasted. The decline in ovarian reserve appears to occur at a constantly increasing rate with age,[17] and leads to nearly complete exhaustion of the reserve by about age 52. As ovarian reserve and fertility decline with age, there is also a parallel increase in pregnancy failure and meiotic errors resulting in chromosomally abnormal conceptions. The ovarian reserve and fertility perform optimally around 20–30 years of age.[18] Around 45 years of age, the menstrual cycle begins to change and the follicle pool decreases significantly.[18] The events that lead to ovarian aging remain unclear. The variability of aging could include environmental factors, lifestyle habits or genetic factors.[18]

Women with an inherited mutation in the DNA repair gene BRCA1 undergo menopause prematurely,[19] suggesting that naturally occurring DNA damages in oocytes are repaired less efficiently in these women, and this inefficiency leads to early reproductive failure. The BRCA1 protein plays a key role in a type of DNA repair termed homologous recombinational repair that is the only known cellular process that can accurately repair DNA double-strand breaks. Titus et al.[20] showed that DNA double-strand breaks accumulate with age in humans and mice in primordial follicles. Primordial follicles contain oocytes that are at an intermediate (prophase I) stage of meiosis. Meiosis is the general process in eukaryotic organisms by which germ cells are formed, and it is likely an adaptation for removing DNA damages, especially double-strand breaks, from germ line DNA (see Meiosis and Origin and function of meiosis).[21] Homologous recombinational repair is especially promoted during meiosis. Titus et al.[20] also found that expression of 4 key genes necessary for homologous recombinational repair of DNA double-strand breaks (BRCA1, MRE11, RAD51 and ATM) decline with age in the oocytes of humans and mice. They hypothesized that DNA double-strand break repair is vital for the maintenance of oocyte reserve and that a decline in efficiency of repair with age plays a key role in ovarian aging. A study identified 290 genetic determinants of ovarian ageing, also found that DNA damage response processes are implicated and suggests that possible effects of extending fertility in women would improve bone health, reduce risk of type 2 diabetes and increase the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers.[22][23]

A variety of testing methods can be used in order to determine fertility based on maternal age. Many of these tests measure levels of hormones FSH, and GnrH. Methods such as measuring AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) levels, and AFC (antral follicule count) can predict ovarian aging. AMH levels serve as an indicator of ovarian aging since the quality of ovarian follicles can be determined.[24]

Clinical significance

Polycystic ovaries typically found in polycystic ovarian syndrome

Ovarian diseases can be classified as endocrine disorders or as a disorders of the reproductive system.[medical citation needed]

If the egg fails to release from the follicle in the ovary an ovarian cyst may form. Small ovarian cysts are common in healthy women. Some women have more follicles than usual (polycystic ovary syndrome), which inhibits the follicles to grow normally and this will cause cycle irregularities.

Notes Ref(s)
Ovarian tumors
Germ cell tumor Seen most often in young women or adolescent girls. Other germ cell tumors are: Endodermal sinus tumor and teratoma, [25]
Ovarian cancer includes ovarian epithelial cancer [26][27][28]
Luteoma Seen in pregnancy
Ovaritis Synonym of oophoritis [16]
Ovarian remnant syndrome Incomplete removal of tissue during oophorectomy [16][29]
Endometriosis Often seen in a variety of reproductive regions including

the ovaries.

[30]
Hypogonadism It exists in two forms, central and primary. Central hypogonadism is a condition that is a result of improper function from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
Hyperthecosis Theca cells are present within ovarian stroma [31]
Ovarian torsion Occurs in rare cases. Can occur in all ages [32]
Ovarian apoplexy (rupture) Most often results from ovarian cysts. In rare instances this condition can cause hemorrhaging and death. [33]
Premature ovarian failure This disorder is linked to genetic, environmental and autoimmune conditions [34]
Polycystic ovarian syndrome Affects women of reproductive age [30]
Anovulation Caused by a variety of conditions [35]
Follicular cyst of ovary Can occur after menopause, or during childbearing years [36]
Theca lutein cyst Normally occurs postpartum [37]
Chocolate cyst Presence of this type of cyst is an indicator of endometriosis [38]
Ovarian germ cell tumors Benign [39]
Dysgerminoma Typically occurs in young women between the ages of 10–30 years of age [40]
Choriocarcinoma Can occur without gynecological symptoms [41]
Yolk sac tumor Malignant. Occurs in young children [42]
Teratoma Very rare. Often occurs in newborns [medical citation needed]
Ovarian serous cystadenoma Benign lesions [43]
Serous cystadenocarcinoma Malignant. Low survival rates [44]
Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma Rare and malignant [44]
Brenner tumor This benign tumor is often found in post-menopausal women [45]
Granulosa cell tumor Rare. Increases estrogen levels. [46]
Krukenberg tumor Metastatic with origins from the stomach [47]
Ovarian torsion. Present in rats.

Society and culture

Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue, often called ovarian tissue cryopreservation, is of interest to women who want to preserve their reproductive function beyond the natural limit, or whose reproductive potential is threatened by cancer therapy,[48] for example in hematologic malignancies or breast cancer.[49] The procedure is to take a part of the ovary and carry out slow freezing before storing it in liquid nitrogen whilst therapy is undertaken. Tissue can then be thawed and implanted near the fallopian, either orthotopic (on the natural location) or heterotopic (on the abdominal wall),[49] where it starts to produce new eggs, allowing normal conception to take place.[50] A study of 60 procedures concluded that ovarian tissue harvesting appears to be safe.[49] The ovarian tissue may also be transplanted into mice that are immunocompromised (SCID mice) to avoid graft rejection, and tissue can be harvested later when mature follicles have developed.[51]

History

In former centuries, medical authors, for example Galen, referred to a woman's ovaries as "female testes".

Other animals

Ovary of a marine fish and its parasite, the nematode Philometra fasciati

Birds have only one functional ovary (the left), while the other remains vestigial. In mammals including humans, the female ovary is homologous to the male testicle, in that they are both gonads and endocrine glands. Ovaries of some kind are found in the female reproductive system of many invertebrates that employ sexual reproduction. However, they develop in a very different way in most invertebrates than they do in vertebrates, and are not truly homologous.[52]

Many of the features found in human ovaries are common to all vertebrates, including the presence of follicular cells, tunica albuginea, and so on. However, many species produce a far greater number of eggs during their lifetime than do humans, so that, in fish and amphibians, there may be hundreds, or even millions of fertile eggs present in the ovary at any given time. In these species, fresh eggs may be developing from the germinal epithelium throughout life. Corpora lutea are found only in mammals, and in some elasmobranch fish; in other species, the remnants of the follicle are quickly resorbed by the ovary. In birds, reptiles, and monotremes, the egg is relatively large, filling the follicle, and distorting the shape of the ovary at maturity.[52]

Amphibians and reptiles have no ovarian medulla; the central part of the ovary is a hollow, lymph-filled space.[53]

The ovary of teleosts is also often hollow, but in this case, the eggs are shed into the cavity, which opens into the oviduct.[52] Certain nematodes of the genus Philometra are parasitic in the ovary of marine fishes and can be spectacular, with females as long as 40 cm (16 in), coiled in the ovary of a fish half this length.[54] Although most normal female vertebrates have two ovaries, this is not the case in all species. In most birds and in platypuses, the right ovary never matures, so that only the left is functional. (Exceptions include the kiwi and some, but not all raptors, in which both ovaries persist.[55][56]) In some elasmobranchs, only the right ovary develops fully. In the primitive jawless fish, and some teleosts, there is only one ovary, formed by the fusion of the paired organs in the embryo.[52]

Additional images

See also

References

  1. ^ "Dorlands Medical Dictionary". www.mercksource.com. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
  2. ^ a b c Colvin, Caroline Wingo; Abdullatif, Hussein (2013-01-01). "Anatomy of female puberty: The clinical relevance of developmental changes in the reproductive system". Clinical Anatomy. 26 (1): 115–129. doi:10.1002/ca.22164. ISSN 1098-2353. PMID 22996962. S2CID 46057971.
  3. ^ a b Daftary, Shirish; Chakravarti, Sudip (2011). Manual of Obstetrics, 3rd Edition. Elsevier. pp. 1-16. ISBN 9788131225561.
  4. ^ a b c Williams gynecology. Hoffman, Barbara L., Williams, J. Whitridge (John Whitridge), 1866-1931. (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. 2012. ISBN 9780071716727. OCLC 779244257.((cite book)): CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. ^ "Ovaries". Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  6. ^ Baskett, Thomas F.; Calder, Andrew A.; Arulkumaran, Sabaratnam (2014). Munro Kerr's Operative Obstetrics E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 268. ISBN 9780702052484.
  7. ^ "Southern Illinois University School of Medicine". www.siumed.edu. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
  8. ^ "Foundational Model of Anatomy". xiphoid.biostr.washington.edu. Structural Informatics Group at the University of Washington. Archived from the original on 2016-05-30. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
  9. ^ Brown, H. M.; Russell, D. L. (2013). "Blood and lymphatic vasculature in the ovary: Development, function and disease". Human Reproduction Update. 20 (1): 29–39. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmt049. PMID 24097804.
  10. ^ Richards, JoAnne S.; Pangas, Stephanie A. (2010-04-01). "The ovary: basic biology and clinical implications". The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 120 (4): 963–972. doi:10.1172/JCI41350. ISSN 0021-9738. PMC 2846061. PMID 20364094.
  11. ^ a b Ross M, Pawlina W (2011). Histology: A Text and Atlas (6th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-0-7817-7200-6.
  12. ^ Melmed, S; Polonsky, KS; Larsen, PR; Kronenberg, HM (2011). Williams Textbook of Endocrinology (12th ed.). Saunders. p. 595. ISBN 978-1437703245.
  13. ^ "Normal Testosterone and Estrogen Levels in Women". WebMD. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  14. ^ "Testosterone: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". www.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  15. ^ Marieb, Elaine (2013). Anatomy & physiology. Benjamin-Cummings. p. 903. ISBN 9780321887603.
  16. ^ a b c Venes 2013, p. 1702.
  17. ^ Hansen, KR; Knowlton, NS; Thyer, AC; Charleston, JS; Soules, MR; Klein, NA (2008). "A new model of reproductive aging: the decline in ovarian non-growing follicle number from birth to menopause". Hum Reprod. 23 (3): 699–708. doi:10.1093/humrep/dem408. PMID 18192670.
  18. ^ a b c Amanvermez, Ramazan; Tosun, Migraci (2016). "An Update on Ovarian Aging and Ovarian Reserve Tests". International Journal of Fertility & Sterility. 9 (4): 411–415. ISSN 2008-076X. PMC 4793161. PMID 26985328.
  19. ^ Rzepka-Górska, I; Tarnowski, B; Chudecka-Głaz, A; Górski, B; Zielińska, D; Tołoczko-Grabarek, A (2006). "Premature menopause in patients with BRCA1 gene mutation". Breast Cancer Res Treat. 100 (1): 59–63. doi:10.1007/s10549-006-9220-1. PMID 16773440. S2CID 19572648.
  20. ^ a b Titus, S; Li, F; Stobezki, R; Akula, K; Unsal, E; Jeong, K; Dickler, M; Robson, M; Moy, F; Goswami, S; Oktay, K (2013). "Impairment of BRCA1-related DNA double-strand break repair leads to ovarian aging in mice and humans". Sci Transl Med. 5 (172): 172ra21. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3004925. PMC 5130338. PMID 23408054.
  21. ^ Bernstein, H.; Byerly, H. C.; Hopf, F. A.; Michod, R. E. (1985-09-20). "Genetic damage, mutation, and the evolution of sex". Science. 229 (4719): 1277–1281. Bibcode:1985Sci...229.1277B. doi:10.1126/science.3898363. PMID 3898363.
  22. ^ "Researchers identify new genes linked to longer reproductive lifespan in women". medicalxpress.com. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  23. ^ Ruth, Katherine S.; et al. (August 2021). "Genetic insights into biological mechanisms governing human ovarian ageing". Nature. 596 (7872): 393–397. Bibcode:2021Natur.596..393R. doi:10.1038/s41586-021-03779-7. ISSN 1476-4687. PMC 7611832. PMID 34349265.
  24. ^ Usta, Taner; Oral, Engin (June 2012). "Is the measurement of anti-Müllerian hormone essential?". Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 24 (3): 151–157. doi:10.1097/GCO.0b013e3283527dcf. ISSN 1040-872X. PMID 22487725. S2CID 24219177.
  25. ^ "Ovarian Germ Cell Tumors Treatment". National Cancer Institute. 1980-01-01. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  26. ^ Seiden, Michael (2015). "Gynecologic Malignancies, Chapter 117". MGraw-Hill Medical. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  27. ^ "Defining Cancer". National Cancer Institute. 2007-09-17. Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  28. ^ "NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms". National Cancer Institute. 2011-02-02. Retrieved 2017-12-01.
  29. ^ "Ovarian remnant syndrome | Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program". rarediseases.info.nih.gov. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  30. ^ a b Kori, Medi; Gov, Esra; Arga, Kazim Yalcin (2016-07-03). "Molecular signatures of ovarian diseases: Insights from network medicine perspective". Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine. 62 (4): 266–282. doi:10.1080/19396368.2016.1197982. hdl:11424/218245. ISSN 1939-6368. PMID 27341345.
  31. ^ Sundus AlDuaiJ1 , Suha Abdulsalam2 , Khulood Al Asfore2. "Postmenopausal Ovarian Hyperthecosis" (PDF).((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. ^ Huang, Ci; Hong, Mun-Kun; Ding, Dah-Ching (2017). "A review of ovary torsion". Tzu-Chi Medical Journal. 29 (3): 143–147. doi:10.4103/tcmj.tcmj_55_17. ISSN 1016-3190. PMC 5615993. PMID 28974907.
  33. ^ J.S. CAMPBELL, F.J. CONKLIN, V.Y.H. CHANG, K.C. SINGH and G.D. HURTEAU. "Ovarian apoplexy, ovarian and the IUCD".((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ Ebrahimi, Mahbod; Akbari Asbagh, Firoozeh (2011). "Pathogenesis and Causes of Premature Ovarian Failure: An Update". International Journal of Fertility & Sterility. 5 (2): 54–65. ISSN 2008-076X. PMC 4059950. PMID 24963360.
  35. ^ Hamilton-Fairley, Diana; Taylor, Alison (2003-09-06). "Anovulation". BMJ: British Medical Journal. 327 (7414): 546–549. doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7414.546. ISSN 0959-8138. PMC 192851. PMID 12958117.
  36. ^ "Ovarian Cysts - ACOG". www.acog.org. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  37. ^ Upadhyaya, Geetika; Goswami, Anu; Babu, Suresh (2004). "Bilateral theca lutein cysts: A rare cause of acute abdomen in pregnancy". Emergency Medicine. 16 (5–6): 476–477. doi:10.1111/j.1742-6723.2004.00654.x. ISSN 1442-2026. PMID 15537414.
  38. ^ Smita Jain, M.B., M.S.* and Maureen E. Dalton. "Chocolate cysts from ovarian follicles".((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  39. ^ "Treatment for Germ Cell Tumors of the Ovary".
  40. ^ S. A. SELIGMAN (1967). "Dysgerminoma". Postgraduate Medical Journal. 43 (500): 400–405. doi:10.1136/pgmj.43.500.400. PMC 2466249. PMID 6043689.
  41. ^ Magrath, I. T.; Golding, P. R.; Bagshawe, K. D. (1971-06-12). "Medical Presentations of Choriocarcinoma". British Medical Journal. 2 (5762): 633–637. doi:10.1136/bmj.2.5762.633. ISSN 0007-1447. PMC 1796509. PMID 5314264.
  42. ^ "Yolk sac tumor". www.pathologyoutlines.com. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  43. ^ Weerakkody, Yuranga. "Ovarian serous cystadenoma | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org". Radiopaedia. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  44. ^ a b Vang, Russell; Shih, Ie-Ming; Kurman, Robert J. (September 2009). "OVARIAN LOW-GRADE AND HIGH-GRADE SEROUS CARCINOMA: Pathogenesis, Clinicopathologic and Molecular Biologic Features, and Diagnostic Problems". Advances in Anatomic Pathology. 16 (5): 267–282. doi:10.1097/PAP.0b013e3181b4fffa. ISSN 1072-4109. PMC 2745605. PMID 19700937.
  45. ^ "Brenner tumor of ovary | Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program". rarediseases.info.nih.gov. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  46. ^ "Granulosa cell tumor of the ovary | Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program". rarediseases.info.nih.gov. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  47. ^ Aziz, Muhammad; Kasi, Anup (2019), "Cancer, Krukenberg Tumor", StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, PMID 29489206, retrieved 2019-12-11
  48. ^ Isachenko V, Lapidus I, Isachenko E, et al. (2009). "Human ovarian tissue vitrification versus conventional freezing: morphological, endocrinological, and molecular biological evaluation". Reproduction. 138 (2): 319–27. doi:10.1530/REP-09-0039. PMID 19439559.
  49. ^ a b c Oktay K, Oktem O (November 2008). "Ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation for fertility preservation for medical indications: report of an ongoing experience". Fertil. Steril. 93 (3): 762–8. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.10.006. PMID 19013568.
  50. ^ Livebirth after orthotopic transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue The Lancet, Sep 24, 2004
  51. ^ Lan C, Xiao W, Xiao-Hui D, Chun-Yan H, Hong-Ling Y (December 2008). "Tissue culture before transplantation of frozen-thawed human fetal ovarian tissue into immunodeficient mice". Fertil. Steril. 93 (3): 913–9. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.10.020. PMID 19108826.
  52. ^ a b c d Romer, Alfred Sherwood; Parsons, Thomas S. (1977). The Vertebrate Body. Philadelphia, PA: Holt-Saunders International. pp. 383–385. ISBN 978-0-03-910284-5.
  53. ^ "Animal reproductive system - Accessory glands".
  54. ^ Moravec, František; Justine, Jean-Lou (2014). "Philometrids (Nematoda: Philometridae) in carangid and serranid fishes off New Caledonia, including three new species". Parasite. 21: 21. doi:10.1051/parasite/2014022. ISSN 1776-1042. PMC 4023622. PMID 24836940. Open access icon
  55. ^ Fitzpatrick, F. L. (1934). "Unilateral and bilateral ovaries in raptorial birds". The Wilson Bulletin. 46 (1): 19–22.
  56. ^ Kinsky, F. C. (1971). "The consistent presence of paired ovaries in the Kiwi(Apteryx) with some discussion of this condition in other birds". Journal of Ornithology. 112 (3): 334–357. Bibcode:1971JOrni.112..334K. doi:10.1007/bf01640692. S2CID 28261057.

Bibliography

External links

Look up ovary in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ovary.
Women's health
Female reproductive system
Anatomy of the endocrine system
Germ cell tumors
Tumors of the female urogenital system
Eggs
Authority control databases
Categories