Senile Atrophy of the Ovaries. 



245 



Fig. 19. NoRMA.i< AND Cystic Ovaries of Bitch. 



A, Cystic ovary. 



B, Normal ovary with the pavilion of the oviduct turned back to ex- 

 pose the ovary, o. 



C, Normal ovary covered by the pavilion of the tube, showing 

 the meatus, M, of the ovarian sac, by which it communicates 



with the peritoneal cavity. 

 One-half size. 



7. Senile Atrophy of the Ovaries. 



In aged females, senile ovarian atrophy occurs to mark the 

 cessation of the power of breeding and the advent of the brief old 

 age of our domestic animals. The advent of this period varies 

 greatlywith species and individuals. Fertility usually persists 

 longest in animals regularly bred and well kept, while senile 

 ovarian atrophy tends to occur earliest in those animals which 

 are not bred and are badly kept or overworked. 



The disease is not to be distinguished, by palpation or macro- 

 scopic appearances of the ovaries, from fibrous degeneration in 

 adult animals, as already described, except by their very small 

 size. It does not induce nymphomania, is not subject to remedy 

 and definitely marks the end of the breeding powers of the 

 animal. 



