Ovarian follicular dynamics during anoestrus in ewes
in ReproductionSearch for other papers by P. M. Bartlewski in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by A. P. Beard in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by S. J. Cook in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by N. C. Rawlings in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
The aim of the present study was to document ovarian antral follicle dynamics throughout seasonal anoestrus in sheep. Daily transrectal ultrasonography was performed during four 17 day scanning periods from March to July in Western White-faced crossbred ewes. Blood samples were collected each day with ultrasonographic scanning for measurement of serum concentrations of FSH, oestradiol and progesterone. Blood samples were also taken every 15 min for 6 h, mid-way through each period of ultrasonographic examination, to determine the patterns of secretion of gonadotrophic hormones. Hormonal data were then related to observed changes in follicular populations and the patterns of antral ovarian follicle turnover. Ultrasonography showed that the ovaries of anoestrous ewes remained active and that the largest ovarian antral follicles grew to a periovulatory size (≥ 5 mm in diameter) at all stages of anoestrus. The total number of all ovarian follicles ≥ 3 mm in diameter was lower during early anoestrus compared with at mid-anoestrus because of a significantly smaller number of small (3 mm) and medium (4 mm) ovarian follicles. The largest ovarian follicles (attaining ≥5 mm in diameter before regression) exhibited a wave-like pattern of growth; an average of three waves of follicular development were recorded in sheep during each of the four 17 day scanning periods in anoestrus, with follicular waves emerging approximately every 5 days. This rhythmic pattern of follicular emergence was found to be associated with the occurrence of fluctuations in serum FSH concentrations. The growth rate of the largest follicles of the wave increased significantly from early to late anoestrus in sheep. In addition, ovarian follicles not growing beyond 3 mm in diameter showed organized patterns of growth and regression; their numbers tended to be lower (P = 0.09) at 3 days before and on the day of follicular wave emergence. Some ewes were seen to maintain synthesis of progesterone throughout anoestrus. This submaximal progesterone secretion tended to occur at irregular intervals and was not coupled with changes in concentrations or patterns of gonadotrophin release, ovulations or detectable morphological luteinization of ovarian antral follicles. It was concluded that the growth of ovarian antral follicles to an ovulatory size was maintained throughout anoestrus in ewes, with a transient shift in the number of small and medium-sized follicles during mid-anoestrus, and that the periodic emergence of waves of large follicles (≥ 5 mm in diameter) occurred in synchrony with an endogenous rhythm of FSH secretion.
Reproduction is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 377 | 84 | 9 |
| PDF Downloads | 195 | 71 | 10 |
Online ISSN: 1741-7899
Print ISSN: 1470-1626
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519