Pre-ovulatory graafian follicles are cooler than neighbouring stroma in pig ovaries

Using an infra-red camera, domestic pig ovaries were thermo-imaged almost instantaneously at laparotomy or within a closed abdomen by endoscopy. Rectal and jugular vein temperatures were recorded using thermo-probes. Graafian follicles (7-10 mm diameter) were cooler than ovarian stroma in all experimental models examined, and both compartments were cooler than rectal and jugular temperatures. The mean difference between follicles and stroma in 73 observations was 1.3 +/- 0.1 degrees C. When thermo-imaged under the fimbriated extremity of the Fallopian tube, follicles and stroma could still be distinguished. Follicles cooled slightly more rapidly than adjoining stroma during the first 10 s of a 60 s recording interval, after which curves for the two tissues remained parallel. Arresting ovarian blood supply for 5 min had a negligible influence on the temperature differentials. Endoscopy in three models recorded mean differentials between follicles and stroma of 0.6 +/- 0.1 degrees C to 1.1 +/- 0.1 degrees C. It is concluded that temperature gradients do exist in the ovarian tissues of mature animals, and that these are generated at least in part as a consequence of endothermic reactions within Graafian follicles.