394 THE COKPUS LUTEUM OF I)ASyinii\S, 



To sum up, ill Dasyurus viverrinits the process of corpus 

 luteuni formation is plain. In this process there are two factors 

 which go on side by side. These are — firstly, the hypertrophy 

 of the membrana granulosa cells to form the characteristic cells 

 of the corpus luteum ; and secondly, the invasion of these masses 

 of hypertrophying cells by a vascular connective tissue framework 

 which supports and nourishes the whole structure. 



The Functions of the Corpus Luteum. 



Up to the present time several different theories have been 

 brought forward to explain the functions of the corpus luteum; 

 and Minot says " Concerning the function of the corpus luteum 

 we possess scarcely any knowledge." 



Most of the theories have had a mechanical basis. The corpus 

 luteum has been deemed to act as a "stop-gap" to fill the cavity 

 of the ruptured follicle, and thus to restore the circulatory con- 

 ditions which have been disturbed by a sudden release in the 

 tension of the ovary. 



Clark offers another explanation. He maintains that the 

 corpus luteum has the function of giving blood vessels to a part, 

 which in the ordinary course of events would become scar tissue, 

 and thus the ovary is maintained in a soft and resilient condition, 

 favouring the complete development of future follicles. 



Ingenious as this theory is, it seems that it, or any mechanical 

 theory must be insufficient, which neglects to take into account 

 the vital processes of the characteristic cells of the corpus luteum 

 themselves, particularly in their relations to the changes in the 

 rest of the ovary, in the uterus and genital apparatus, and in the 

 whole organism generally. Prenant, in a highly interesting 

 paper, has brought forward a very attractive theory to explain 

 the origin of the corpus luteum (which he attributes to the 

 membrana granulosa). He points out that, in all animals 

 examined, the corpus luteum is a structure whose morphological 

 characters are those of a glandular apparatus without a duct, 

 possessing presumably an internal secretion; and that the cells of 

 the corpus luteum elaborate material in their interior as has 



