Unruptured luteinized follicle syndrome and experimental endometriosis in the female rabbit

To study the effect of endometriosis on follicular rupture, endometrial tissue was autografted to New Zealand White rabbits. Endometrium was surgically implanted into the peritoneal cavity. Human chorionic gonadotropin was administered to induce ovulation. The viability of the implants was demonstrated histologically during three subsequent laparotomies, the number of corpora lutea and stigmata were counted. Ovaries were then removed and ovarian serial sections were examined. In rabbits with peritoneal induced endometriosis, the percentage of stigmata per corpora lutea was significantly decreased. Macroscopic study was confirmed by histological examination. Indeed, a high incidence of entrapped oocytes was found in rabbits with peritoneal endometriosis. Our data demonstrated that endometriosis induced a failure of follicular rupture.