538 



E. V. COWDRY 



of the solution of its fatty constituents. Athias (e) ('19, p. 160) lias found 

 that the interstitial cells, in the rat, are very intensely stained with iron 

 hematoxylin after fixation in Zenker's fluid, and it is quite likely that the 

 human ovary may react in the same way. Other distinctive points will 

 be discussed later. 



Many continental investigators have followed Bourn's ('00) lead in 

 calling these scattered cells the "interstitial gland" of the ovary. Kings- 

 bury ('14) is opposed to this terminology, on the ground that the cells 



Fig. 1. Interstitial cells (i) in the human ovary (magnification 800). 



are not grouped to form a morphologic entity, and because our knowledge 

 of their secretory function is so uncertain. The same objections apply 

 with equal force to the term "diastematic gland," which is frequently 

 used. Van der Stricht's studies on the bat show, however, that the cells 

 do, in some cases, possess true glandular potencies, since they may become 

 grouped together, with the formation of lunima, as shown in i^ig. 2, and 

 develop a low grade of polarity. 



Embryology and Development 



The interstitial cells of the ovary, like those of the testis, are of 

 much earlier development than the lutein cells. In the human embryo 

 they are well formed in four centimeter stages (v. Winiwarter (a), '08). 

 They arise as a differentiation of spindle shaped connective tissue ele- 



