scholarly journals Neonatal Exposure to Agonists and Antagonists of Sex Steroid Receptors Affects AMH and FSH Plasma Level and Their Receptors Expression in the Adult Pig Ovary

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Knapczyk-Stwora ◽  
Malgorzata Grzesiak ◽  
Patrycja Witek ◽  
Malgorzata Duda ◽  
Marek Koziorowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Testosterone Propionate ◽  
Corn Oil ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Neonatal Exposure ◽  
Protein Abundance ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Preantral Follicles ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Signalling Systems ◽  
Antiandrogenic Activity

In this study piglets were injected with testosterone propionate (TP, an androgen), flutamide (FLU, an antiandrogen), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP, an estrogenic compound), ICI 182,780 (ICI, an antiestrogen) or corn oil (controls) between postnatal days 1 and 10 (N = 5/group). Then plasma anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration and the expression of their receptors were examined in the adult pig ovary. TP and FLU decreased plasma AMH and FSH concentration. In preantral follicles, TP resulted in upregulation of AMHR2 and FSHR expression, but decreased AMH protein abundance. FLU upregulated AMHR2 expression, while OP increased FSHR mRNA. In small antral follicles, OP upregulated ACVR1 and BMPR1A expression, while FLU increased BMPR1A mRNA. FLU and ICI resulted in upregulation of AMHR2 expression. TP and FLU upregulated AMH expression, while it was downregulated in response to OP or ICI. Moreover, OP and ICI resulted in downregulation of FSHR expression, while FLU decreased FSHR protein abundance. In conclusion, neonatal exposure to either agonist or antagonist of androgen receptor affected AMH and FSH signalling systems in preantral follicles. In small antral follicles these systems were influenced by compounds with estrogenic, antiestrogenic, and antiandrogenic activity. Consequently, these hormonal agents may cause an accelerated recruitment of primordial follicles and affect the cycling recruitment of small antral follicles in pigs.

scholarly journals Effects of reduction of the number of primordial follicles on follicular development to achieve puberty in female rats

Reproduction ◽  
2003 ◽  
pp. 85-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Shirota ◽  
S Soda ◽  
C Katoh ◽  
S Asai ◽  
M Sato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Corn Oil ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Primary Phase ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Immature Female ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Preantral Follicles ◽  
Rat Offspring

Effects of reduction of the number of primordial follicles on follicular development and concentrations of circulating hormones were examined in immature female rat offspring of dams given busulfan intraperitoneally on day 14 of gestation. The offspring of dams treated with 5 mg busulfan kg(-1) showed vaginal opening at an age comparable with the offspring of dams treated with 2.5 mg busulfan kg(-1) or with corn oil as a control, although they exhibited an irregular oestrous cycle until week 14 after birth. The serum concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin and FSH on day 26 after birth of the offspring treated with 5 mg busulfan kg(-1) were similar to those of age-matched controls. On day 15 after birth, however, the concentration of their immunoreactive inhibin was markedly lower than that of controls, whereas the concentration of their FSH was increased inversely. Comparison of the numbers of ovarian follicles in the controls and groups treated with 2.5 mg busulfan kg(-1) and 5 mg busulfan kg(-1) revealed that prenatal treatment with busulfan reduced the number of follicles in the primordial or primary phase and in the preantral phase on day 7 after birth. Although the increase of the ratio of the number of preantral follicles during days 7-13 after birth tended to vary with the prenatal dose of busulfan, the number of preantral follicles in the group treated with 5 mg busulfan kg(-1) was still smaller than in the controls. The concentration of serum immunoreactive inhibin of the offspring treated with busulfan was reduced on day 7 after birth without alteration of the concentration of gonadotrophin. On day 13 after birth, the concentration of serum immunoreactive inhibin was reduced only in the offspring treated with 5 mg busulfan kg(-1), and the concentration of serum FSH of the offspring was increased inversely as found on day 15 after birth. These results indicate that a reduction in the number of primordial follicles decreases the number of follicles that enter the growing phase, a major source of circulating inhibin in the neonatal and infantile ovary, and that consequently increased circulating FSH may accelerate follicular development to achieve puberty.

scholarly journals Persistent vs transient alteration of folliculogenesis and estrous cycle after neonatal vs adult exposure to Bisphenol A

Endocrinology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David López-Rodríguez ◽  
Delphine Franssen ◽  
Elena Sevrin ◽  
Arlette Gérard ◽  
Cédric Balsat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bisphenol A ◽  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Corn Oil ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Neonatal Exposure ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Lh Surge ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Adult Exposure

Abstract Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), a ubiquitous endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) is known to produce variable effects on female puberty and ovulation. This variability of effects is possibly due to differences in dose and period of exposure. Little is known about the effects of adult exposure to environmentally relevant doses of this EDC and the differences in effect after neonatal exposure. This study aims at comparing the effects of neonatal versus adult exposure to a very low or a high dose of BPA for two weeks on ovulation and folliculogenesis and exploring the hypothalamic mechanisms involved in such disruption by BPA. One day-old and 90 day-old female rats received daily subcutaneous injections of corn oil (vehicle) or BPA (25 ng/kg/d or 5 mg/kg/d) for 15 days. Neonatal exposure to both BPA doses significantly disrupted the estrous cycle and induced a decrease in primordial follicles. Effects on estrous cyclicity and folliculogenesis persisted into adulthood, consistent with a disruption of organizational mechanisms. During adult exposure, both doses caused a reversible decrease in antral follicles and corpora lutea. A reversible disruption of the estrous cycle associated with a delay and a decrease in the amplitude of the LH surge was also observed. Alterations of the hypothalamic expression of the clock gene Per1 and the novel reproductive peptide Phoenixin indicated a disruption of the hypothalamic control of the preovulatory LH surge by BPA.

Expression of angiotensin II receptors in the caprine ovary and improvement of follicular viability in vitro

Zygote ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 568-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.B. Bruno ◽  
I.B. Lima-Verde ◽  
J.J.H. Celestino ◽  
L.F. Lima ◽  
M.H.T. Matos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Ultrastructural Analysis ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Preantral Follicles ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Theca Cells ◽  
Cumulus Oocyte Complex

SummaryThis study aimed to evaluate mRNA levels of angiotensin II (ANG II) receptors (AGTR1 and AGTR2) in caprine follicles and to investigate the influence of ANG II on the viability and in vitro growth of preantral follicles. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to quantify AGTR1 and AGTR2 mRNA levels in the different follicular stages. For culture, caprine ovaries were collected, cut into 13 fragments and then either directly fixed for histological and ultrastructural analysis (fresh control) or placed in culture for 1 or 7 days in α-minumum essential medium plus (α-MEM+) with 0, 1, 5, 10, 50 or 100 ng/ml ANG II. Then, the fragments were destined to morphological, viability and ultrastructural analysis. The results showed that primordial follicles had higher levels of AGTR1 and AGTR2 mRNA than secondary follicles. Granulosa/theca cells from antral follicles had higher levels of AGTR1 mRNA than their respective cumulus–oocyte complex (COCs). After 7 days of culture, ANG II (10 or 50 ng/ml) maintained the percentages of normal follicles compared with α-MEM+. Fluorescence and ultrastructural microscopy confirmed follicular integrity in ANG II (10 ng/ml). In conclusion, a high expression of AGTR1 and AGTR2 is observed in primordial follicles. Granulosa/theca cells from antral follicles had higher levels of AGTR1 mRNA. Finally, 10 ng/ml ANG II maintained the viability of caprine preantral follicles after in vitro culture.

Ultrastructure of the basal lamina of bovine ovarian follicles and its relationship to the membrana granulosa

Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 221-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
HF Irving-Rodgers ◽  
RJ Rodgers
Keyword(s):  
Basal Lamina ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Basal Cells ◽  
Preantral Follicles ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Innermost Layer

Different morphological phenotypes of follicular basal lamina and of membrana granulosa have been observed. Ten preantral follicles (< 0. 1 mm), and 17 healthy and six atretic antral follicles (0.5-12 mm in diameter) were processed for light and electron microscopy to investigate the relationship the between follicular basal lamina and membrana granulosa. Within each antral follicle, the shape of the basal cells of the membrana granulosa was uniform, and either rounded or columnar. There were equal proportions of follicles </= 4 mm in diameter with columnar basal cells and with rounded basal cells. Larger follicles had only rounded basal cells. Conventional basal laminae of a single layer adjacent to the basal granulosa cells were observed in healthy follicles at the preantral and antral stages. However, at the preantral stage, the conventional types of basal lamina were enlarged or even partially laminated. A second type of basal lamina, described as 'loopy', occurred in about half the preantral follicles and in half the antral follicles </= 4 mm diameter. 'Loopy' basal laminae were not observed in larger follicles. 'Loopy' basal laminae were composed of basal laminae aligning the basal surface of basal granulosa cells, but with additional layers or loops often branching from the innermost layer. Each loop was usually < 1 microm long and had vesicles (20-30 nm) attached to the inner aspect. Basal cellular processes were also common, and vesicles could be seen budding off from these processes. In antral follicles, conventional basal laminae occurred in follicles with rounded basal granulosa cells. Other follicles with columnar cells, and atretic follicles, had the 'loopy' basal lamina phenotype. Thus, follicles have different basal laminae that relate to the morphology of the membrana granulosa.

scholarly journals Awakening the oocyte: controlling primordial follicle development

Reproduction ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eileen A McLaughlin ◽  
Skye C McIver
Keyword(s):  
Population Control ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Domestic Animal ◽  
Follicle Growth ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Control Oocyte ◽  
Signalling Systems

Oocytes are sequestered in primordial follicles before birth and remain quiescent in the ovary, often for decades, until recruited into the growing pool throughout the reproductive years. Therefore, activation of follicle growth is a major biological checkpoint that controls female reproductive potential. However, we are only just beginning to elucidate the cellular mechanisms required for either maintenance of the quiescent primordial follicle pool or initiation of follicle growth. Understanding the intracellular signalling systems that control oocyte maintenance and activation has significant implications for improving female reproductive productivity and longevity in mammals, and has application in domestic animal husbandry, feral animal population control and infertility in women.

231 CELLULAR PROLIFERATION IN FETAL OVARIAN FOLLICLES FROM LATE PREGNANT SHEEP FED MAINTENANCE OR RESTRICTED DIETS WITH NORMAL OR ENHANCED SELENIUM CONCENTRATIONS

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 224
Author(s):  
W. J. Arndt ◽  
A. Grazul-Bilska ◽  
J. S. Caton ◽  
E. Borowczyk ◽  
P. P. Borowicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Cellular Proliferation ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Ovarian Follicles ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Labeling Index ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Pregnant Sheep

Hypertrophy and hyperplasia are the major processes for tissue growth and development. The fetal ovaries represent a type of tissue that expresses high cellular proliferation rates. Selenium (Se) is a mineral that has diverse biological functions and affects cellular proliferation in numerous tissues including cancer, digestive tract, and placenta. It has been demonstrated that levels and sources (organic vs. inorganic) of Se may affect tissue growth. This experiment was designed to determine whether maternal consumption of differing levels of energy and Se impacts cell proliferation in fetal ovarian follicles. Sheep (n = 36) were fed a maintenance (M; 2.12 Mcal/kg) or energy restricted (ER; 60% of maintenance; nutrition restriction occurred from Day 50 to Day 135 of pregnancy) diet with high Se (HSe; 81.5 �g/kg body weight) or normal Se (NSe; 7.4 �g/kg body weight) concentration from 21 days before breeding to Day 135 of pregnancy. At slaughter on Day 135 of pregnancy, fetal tissues were collected and fixed in Carnoy's solution. Ovaries (n = 3-6/treatment group) were weighed, sectioned (one section along the longitudal axis/ovary) and stained for the presence of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a marker for proliferating cells. To determine the proportion of proliferating primordial follicles or the labeling index (percentage of proliferating cells; Jablonka-Shariff et al. 1994 Biol. Reprod. 51, 531) for primary, secondary, and antral follicles, digital images of the tissues were taken and analyzed using a computerized image analysis program (Image-Pro Plus; Media Cybernetics, Inc., Silver Spring, MD, USA). The primordial follicle was considered as proliferating when at least one granulosa cell was PCNA-positive. The number of proliferating and non-proliferating cells was determined for granulosa of primary follicles (n = 225 total) and for granulosa and theca cells of secondary (n = 198) and antral (n = 96) follicles, and used to calculate the labeling index. The data were analyzed using the general linear models procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The number of proliferating primordial follicles was decreased (P < 0.05) by restricted energy diet and Se treatment (11.9 � 1.7 for NSe-M diet vs. 7.2 � 1.3 for HSe-M diet and 8.3 � 0.8 for NSe-ER diet vs. 4.7 � 0.8 for HSe-ER diet). However, energy restriction or Se did not affect labeling index in primary, secondary, and antral follicles. The labeling index was similar for theca and granulosa cells from secondary, or antral follicles. The labeling index was greatest (P < 0.05) for antral, less for secondary and least for primary follicles (24.2 � 1.1% vs. 20.2 � 0.7% vs. 13.3 � 0.4%). These results demonstrate that both level of energy and Se in the maternal diet affects cellular proliferation in primordial but not in primary, secondary, or antral follicles in fetal ovaries. In addition, cellular proliferation increases as fetal follicular development progresses. These data indicate that level of energy and Se in the maternal diet may impact fetal ovarian development during the early stage of folliculogenesis. This work ws supported by USDA grant 2005-35206-15281 and Hatch Project ND01712.

202 EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC ACID ON IN VITRO CULTURE OF CATTLE PREANTRAL FOLLICLES

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 259
Author(s):  
E. R. Andrade ◽  
R. van den Hurk ◽  
L. A. Lisboa ◽  
M. F. Hertel ◽  
F. A. Melo-Sterza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
In Vitro Culture ◽  
Ovarian Tissue ◽  
Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Preantral Follicles ◽  
Ovarian Cortex

The mechanisms that regulate the gradual exit of ovarian follicles from the nongrowing, primordial pool are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding ascorbic acid to the media for in vitro culture of cattle ovarian fragments and to determine the effects of this addition on the growth activation and viability of preantral follicles. The ovarian cortex was divided into small fragments; 1 fragment was immediately fixed in Bouin’s solution (control). The other fragments were cultured for 2, 4, 6, or 8 days on culture plates in minimum essential medium (MEM) supplemented with insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS), pyruvate, glutamine, hypoxantine, BSA, and antibiotics (MEM+) or in MEM+ plus ascorbic acid (5, 25, 50, 100, or 200 μg mL-1). Ovarian tissue was processed for classical histology, TEM, and immunohistochemical demonstration of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Preantral follicles were classified according to their development stage (primordial, intermediate, primary, and secondary) and on the basis of morphological features (normal or degenerated). Pair-wise comparisons were done using Tukey’s procedure. Chi-square test was used to compare percentages of follicles with PCNA-positive granulosa cells. All analyses were done with Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA); P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Compared with control fragments, the percentage of primordial follicles was reduced (P ≤ 0.05) and the percentage of growing follicles was increased (P ≤ 0.05) in cultured cortical fragments, independent of the tested medium or incubation time. Furthermore, compared with control tissue, culture of ovarian cortex for 8 days reduced the percentages of healthy, viable follicles (P ≤0.05), but not when cultures were supplemented with 25, 50, and 100 μg mL-1 of ascorbic acid. Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analysis of ovarian cortical fragments cultured for 8 days, however, showed the integrity and viability of follicles only when fragments were cultured in the presence of 50 μg mL-1 of ascorbic acid. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that addition of ascorbic acid to MEM at a concentration of 50 μg mL-1 not only stimulates the activation and subsequent growth of cattle primordial follicles that are cultured in vitro for 8 days but also safeguards the viability of these preantral follicles. E. R. Andrade and A. A. Alfieri are recipients of the PRODOC/CAPES fellowship.

125 Transcriptomic changes in bovine ovarian cortex in response to FSH signaling

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 189
Author(s):  
J. Candelaria ◽  
B. Rabaglino ◽  
A. Denicol
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Signalling Pathways ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Cortical Cells ◽  
Preantral Follicles ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Ovarian Cortex ◽  
Over Time

Preantral follicles serve as a reservoir of female gametes that could be used in assisted reproductive technologies in humans, livestock, and endangered animals. Invitro culture of ovarian cortex is a widely used method to grow preantral follicles. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is often added to the culture medium as a folliculogenesis-promoting factor. The roles of FSH in antral follicles is well known; however, the effects of FSH in preantral follicles and indirectly in the ovarian cortical cells is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the transcriptomic responses of the ovarian cortex containing preantral follicles to FSH signalling over time. In 3 biological replicates, small strips of bovine ovarian cortex (10×5mm) were dissected from the medulla and evaluated under a stereomicroscope for removal of all visible antral follicles. Resulting cortical strips were cultured in defined medium with human-recombinant FSH or vehicle for 2 or 4 days at 38.5°C and 5% CO2. The RNA was isolated and subjected to cDNA library preparation and 3′-Tag RNA sequencing. Sequencing data analysis was performed using the edgeR and maSigPro packages (Bioconductor-R). Using a time-course analysis, genes up- or downregulated 2-fold or more and associated with an FDR&lt;0.05 were considered differentially expressed (DEG) and were further analysed with NetworkAnalyst software. We found 252 DEG over time in response to FSH. In FSH-treated samples, significantly enriched biological functions from upregulated genes were associated with glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, carbon metabolism, and biosynthesis of amino acids. In contrast, significantly enriched biological functions from downregulated genes found in FSH-treated samples included phagosome and necroptosis. The germ cell markers BMP15, DAZL, DDX4, GDF9, and ZP2/ZP3 were expressed but unchanged by FSH, suggesting the presence of similar numbers of oocytes between samples. The gene B4GALT2, previously reported as a granulosa cell marker, was upregulated in FSH-treated samples at Day 4. The follicular marker RAB23 was expressed in all samples and not changed by FSH. One interesting finding was upregulation of MAPK signalling (represented by the genes MAPKAPK3, ELK4, MKNK2, and TGFB3) in response to FSH signalling, with no change in expression of the cAMP-response element responsive genes CYP19A1 and INHA. Together, these data indicate that FSH stimulates energy metabolism in ovarian cortical cells and represses negative cell function activity. We conclude that these responses are mostly mediated by granulosa cells, because the FSH receptor is not appreciably expressed in the ovarian cortex stroma. Moreover, the data suggest that FSH may utilise alternative signalling pathways, such as MAPK, in early follicles. This information enhances our understanding of FSH signalling pathways in the ovarian cortex, mediated by preantral follicles to create a positive environment for folliculogenesis.

138 Relationships Between Antral Follicle Count, Ovarian Volume, Pre-Antral Follicle Number, and Oocyte Quality

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
G. L. Vasconcelos ◽  
R. Maculan ◽  
N. Alves ◽  
A. L. A. P. L. Ribeiro ◽  
A. W. B. Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
Antral Follicle Count ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Ovarian Volume ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Grade 3

The objective was to evaluate the possible relationships between AFC, ovarian volume, ovarian follicle reserve and oocyte quality in abattoir-derived ovaries (experiment 1) and in cows (experiment 2) submitted to OPU. Antral follicle counts of ≥25, 16 to 24, and ≤ 16 were used to define AFC classes as high (HAFC), intermediate (IAFC), and low (LAFC) in both experiments. In experiment 1, after antral follicles were aspirated, abattoir ovaries (n = 10 per AFC class) were processed by conventional histology and pre-antral follicles were counted within primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary classes and classified as either healthy or degenerate under regular microscopy (Cushman et al. 1999). In experiment 2, HAFC (n = 42), IAFC (n = 34), and LAFC (n = 29) cows were submitted to OPU and oocytes classified as grades 1, 2, and 3 or degenerate (IETS, 2010). Antral follicles (≥3 mm in diameter) were counted by ultrasonography. Data were analysed by GENMOD and GLM procedures of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) after transformations, when required. In experiment 1, mean normal primordial follicle number was higher (P < 0.001) in HAFC (137.0 ± 1.6)a compared with IAFC (52.6 ± 1.9)b and LAFC (20.2 ± 5.3)c ovaries. However, the mean number of degenerate primordial follicles was lower (P < 0.001) in low count ovaries (2.4 ± 0.6) compared with HAFC (19.0 ± 4.7) and IAFC (16.4 ± 1.5, P < 0.001). Normal primary follicle number was higher in the HAFC compared with IAFC and LAFC ovarian classes (86.2 ± 7.0a v. 34.6 ± 5.1b and 14.4 ± 3.3c, respectively; P < 0.01). Degenerate primary follicles were higher in the HAFC compared with LAFC ovarian class (16.8 ± 6.5 v. 5.2 ± 2.64; P < 0.05). Normal secondary follicle number was also higher in the HAFC compared to LAFC ovarian classes (25.2 ± 7.67 v. 2.4 ± 0.8; P < 0.05). The number of degenerate secondary follicles differed (P < 0.01) only between the IAFC and the LAFC ovarian classes (0.6 ± 0.4 and 7.2 ± 2.4, respectively), which were similar (P > 0.5) to the HAFC class (3.8 ± 1.0). In experiment 2, grade 1, 2, and 3 oocytes, viable oocytes, and ovarian volume (mm3) were higher (P < 0.001) in HAFC compared with IAFC and LAFC cows (grade 1: 7.9 ± 0.6a, 4.9 ± 0.7b and 3.3 ± 0.7c; grade 2: 4.0 ± 0.4a, 2.8 ± 0.4b and 1.2c; grade 3: 2.1 ± 0.4a, 2.5 ± 0.4a and 1.3 ± 0.5b, respectively; viable oocytes: 16.3 ± 1.1a, 13.1 ± 1.2b, and 8.1 ± 1.3c, respectively; (volumes: 12.6 ± 0.7a, 10.1 ± 0.8b, and 8.1 ± 0.9c, respectively). In conclusion, high AFC is linked to a higher follicular reserve, oocyte quality, and ovarian volume. It is safe to apply AFC in the selection of bovine females without compromising oocyte or pre-antral follicular population qualities.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document