Figure 11From: Origin of germ cells and formation of new primary follicles in adult human ovariesInflux of macrophages during follicular atresia. Double color CK (brown color)/ZP (blue) immunohistochemistry revealed that cohorts of primary and secondary follicles in certain areas of the ovarian cortex showed degenerative changes, characterized in particular by fragmentation of the oocyte structure and dispersion of ZP+ staining among poorly defined layer of granulosa cells and adjacent stroma (arrowheads, panel A; see inset for control immunostaining). Inset in (B) shows normal primary follicles in another case. Triple color staining (CK/ZP/DR, panel C) revealed numerous large DR+ (purple color) macrophages (red arrowheads) invading the area from adjacent vessels (yellow arrowhead). In contrast, a healthy growing and preantral follicle (panel D) shows an association of sporadic small DR+ macrophages with the developing theca (red arrowhead). No hematoxylin counterstain.Back to article page