Abstract1The formation of ‘preovulatory corpora atretica’ from the atretic oocytes and postovulatory corpora atretica from the ovulated follicles have been critically studied in the fresh water teleostNotopterus notopterus.2The oocytes which fail to mature or when mature ones fail to spawn, are degenerated and resorbed in the stroma of ovary and in doing so, the granulosa cells of their follicular wall, shown a varied activity of secreting the digestive ferments, enlarging in size, proliferation and phagocytosing upon the yolk and other cytoplasmic inclusions.3Degeneration and resorption of atretic oocytes have been studied in this fish by three different patterns:i. atresia in which the granulosa layer is hypertrophied and its cells proliferate;ii. atresia in which the granulosa cells do not proliferate but simply become enlarged, elongated and vacuolated; andiii. atresia in which cystic degeneration takes place.4‘Post‐ovulatory corpora atretica’ are formed from the evacuated follicles in which granulosa layer is hypertrophied and become proliferated. Its cells form a compact mass which is invaded by the blood cap