Basic fibroblast growth factor is a biologically active peptide with a strong affinity for heparin. This growth factor has been previously shown to be mitogenic for a variety of mesoderm and neuroectoderm-derived cells. The immunohistochemical localization of basic FGF within mouse growing and atretic ovarian follicles is presented in the study. Ovarian tissue samples were obtained either (a) randomly from mice housed in a controlled light environment or (b) following the administration of exogenous gonadotropins to stimulate follicle development. Ovarian samples were fixed in Bouin's fluid for no longer than 18 h. Following fixation and paraffin embedding, sections were exposed to a primary antibody made in rabbits against either (a) human recombinant basic FGF or (b) the 1—24 synthetic fragment of bovine basic FGF. The primary antibody was followed by biotinylated goat anti-rabbit IgG and a biotin-avidin-peroxidase complex. There were no differences in the immunolocalization of basic FGF using either source of primary antibody or between randomly obtained ovarian samples and those obtained from mice given exogenous gonadotropins. Basic FGF was immunolocalized in follicle basal laminae and was also closely associated with individual follicle cells during all stages of ovarian follicle development. Basic FGF was absent in the theca intema, oocyte cytoplasm, zona pellucida and follicle fluid of normal growing follicles. Individual corpora luteal cells were surrounded by basic FGF but lacked cytoplasmic staining. Atretic follicles exhibited staining patterns similar to their respective stage of follicle development. However, when present, follicle fluid within atretic follicles was strongly positive for basic FGF. These results indicate that basic FGF may be an important factor involved in intraovarian control mechanisms.