Topic:Ovarian Follicles
Ovarian follicles in horses are structures within the ovaries that contain the developing oocyte, or egg, and are essential for reproduction. These follicles undergo a series of growth stages, from primordial to preovulatory, influenced by hormonal changes within the mare's reproductive cycle. The development and maturation of ovarian follicles are regulated by hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Monitoring follicular development is integral to understanding reproductive physiology and managing breeding in equine practice. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the physiology, development, and clinical management of ovarian follicles in horses.
Effect of GnRH treatment during the anovulatory season on multiple ovulation rate and on follicular development during the ensuing pregnancy in mares. Seasonally anovulatory mares were injected, i.m., twice daily with a GnRH analogue (GnRH-A), and hCG was given when the largest follicle reached 35 mm in diameter. In Exp. 1, treatment was initiated on 23 December when the largest follicle per mare was less than or equal to 17 mm. An ovulatory response (ovulation within 21 days) occurred in 17 of 30 (57%) GnRH-A-treated mares on a mean of 15.8 days. The shortest interval to ovulation in control mares (N = 10) was 57 days. The diameter of the largest follicle first increased significantly 6 days after start of treatment. In Exp. 2, treatment wa...
Ovulation in the isolated perfused rat ovary as documented by intravital microscopy. Surface cell changes at the apices of preovulatory follicles and ovulations were documented in isolated perfused ovaries from immature rats treated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (20 IU) and 48 h later with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (10 IU). A video camera coupled to an inverted microscope and a video recorder captured the preovulatory and ovulatory events at a cellular level. At around 8 h post-hCG, the follicular apex changed from a smooth and optically homogeneous appearance into a rough surface with bleb formation and extrusions of single cells through minute perforations (...
The effects of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin on follicular development, mating and pregnancy in mink. Forty-four female ranch mink, maintained out-of-doors under standard conditions, were exposed to natural photoperiod supplemented with a period of artificial light from approximately 2300 hr to 0300 hr from early January to mid February. Breeding was initiated on March 1. After repeated attempts to breed the animals, it was determined that the likelihood of their breeding was very low, presumably due to the artificial and asynchronous long-day photoperiod. In an attempt to induce breeding, the mink were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: saline, 25 International Units (IU) PMSG...
Regulation of ovarian function by catecholestrogens: current concepts. Development of the ovarian follicle(s) destined for ovulation appears to be a process in which antral follicles undergo a recruitment, selection and subsequent dominance phase. Several intraovarian or autocrine/paracrine regulatory mechanisms have been evoked to explain these processes. One of these potential autocrine/paracrine regulators is a catecholestrogen, 2-hydroxy-estradiol (2-OH-E2). Evidence implicating 2-OH-E2 as an autocrine/paracrine regulator of follicular function is reviewed. Studies have shown 2-OH-E2 to be present in nanomolar concentrations in fluid of human and equine folli...
Primary ovarian adenocarcinoma associated with teratomatous elements in a mare. An ovarian adenocarcinoma with teratomatous elements was removed from a 9-year-old mare. Although no other lesions were detected at ovariectomy, multifocal metastatic masses led to cachexia and euthanasia 2 months later. This case reaffirms the need to exercise caution when removing ovarian masses to prevent seeding of the abdomen. This report includes discussion of the WHO system of classification of ovarian tumors.
Predicting ovulation in the mare on the basis of follicular growth and serum oestrone sulphate and progesterone levels. Follicular growth and hormone determinations were used to predict ovulation in the mare. Thirty Finnhorse mares were used for the investigation and 38 oestrous cycles were studied. The mares were examined by rectal palpation and ultrasonography every 6 hours during late oestrus. Daily blood samples were obtained for progesterone and oestrone sulphate determination. The preovulatory follicle grew 3 mm a day up to 2 days before ovulation. The size then remained constant, before diminishing by 2-3 mm during the last 12 hours. The maximal diameter of the follicle was 43 +/- 4 mm. In 89% of the fol...
Serous cystadenoma in a normally cyclic mare with high plasma testosterone values. Serous cystadenoma was diagnosed by histologic examination of a large ovary removed from a 16-year-old Thoroughbred mare with normal estrous cycles. Palpation and ultrasound examination per rectum had revealed an excessive number of follicles in the right ovary. The ovulation fossa was palpable on the right ovary, and the left ovary appeared to have normal activity. Plasma testosterone values were high at the time of examination (0.15 ng/ml), but decreased to normal values (0.09 ng/ml) after removal of the cystadenoma.
Alterations in the cell cycle characteristics of granulosa cells during the periovulatory period: evidence of ovarian and oviductal influences. Granulosa cells at different stages of differentiation were collected from ovarian follicles and oviducts during the periovulatory period, and their nuclear DNA content was monitored by flow cytometry to establish their cell cycle characteristics (G0 + G1, S, G2 + M). The proportion of cells in the three phases of the cell cycle varied in characteristics patterns depending upon the time they were collected, before or following ovulation. Granulosa (cumulus) cells recovered from ovulated oocytes were mitotically inactive as shown by the large proportion of cells with a 2C amount of DNA and the ...
Hemoperitoneum caused by rupture of a juvenile granulosa cell tumor in an equine neonate. A neonatal foal was examined because of apparent abdominal pain and distention, anemia, and hemoperitoneum. Exploratory laparotomy was performed, and a large spherical mass, which had ruptured, was found in the area of the left ovary. Left salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. The mass was determined to be a juvenile granulosa cell tumor.
Changes in the concentrations of steroids and prostaglandin F in preovulatory follicles of the mare after administration of hCG. Fluid was aspirated from the preovulatory follicle of Group 1 mares (N = 6) when follicles reached 32-34 mm in diameter. Group 2 mares each received an i.v. injection of hCG when the preovulatory follicle reached 35 mm. Aspiration of follicular fluid was performed 28-32 h after treatment. Follicular fluid was aspirated from Group 3 mares 28-32 h after the preovulatory follicle reached 35 mm in diameter. Concentrations of progesterone were significantly higher in follicular fluid from Group 2 mares than in that from mares in Groups 1 and 3. Testosterone was significantly higher in follicular fl...
Effect of ovarian steroids on migration of uterine lumenal neutrophils and on chemokinetic factors in uterine secretions from mares. Incubation of blood neutrophils with uterine flushings collected from ovariectomised mares treated with oestradiol, stimulated migration under agarose, whereas flushings from mares treated with progesterone or oily vehicle, inhibited migration. After intra-uterine infusion of bacteria, however, flushings from oestradiol-treated and vehicle-treated mares inhibited migration, whereas progesterone treatment stimulated migration. Migration of uterine-derived neutrophils under agarose was less than that of blood neutrophils and was not influenced by treatment with ovarian steroids. Uterine suscepti...
Ultrasonic imaging of equine ovarian follicles and corpora lutea. One of the most profound theriogenology applications of transrectal diagnostic ultrasonography in mares involves the imaging of ovarian follicles and corpora lutea. The resolving capabilities (frequency) and quality of the scanner directly affect the minimal size of a structure that can be imaged and the quality of the image. High-frequency scanners (5 or 7.5 MHz) of good quality can image a 2-mm follicle and the corpus luteum throughout its functional life. A low-frequency scanner (3 or 3.5 MHz) can image a 6-mm follicle and the corpus luteum for several days after ovulation. Equine follicles...
Effect of exogenous ovarian steroids on the uterine luminal prostaglandins in ovariectomised mares with experimental endometritis. Prostaglandins (PGs) F and E2 were measured in lavage fluid from the uterus of ovariectomised mares after experimental induction of uterine inflammation. Treatment with progesterone alone, or progesterone followed by oestradiol, significantly increased the concentrations of these PGs in the lavage compared with mares treated with oestradiol or control mares. Ovarian steroids, therefore, influenced uterine PG synthesis in response to an inflammatory stimulus. To determine whether the uterine lavage procedure might contribute to the concentrations of prostaglandins in the lavage, the procedure w...
Gonadotropin secretion in ovariectomized pony mares treated with dexamethasone or progesterone and subsequently with dihydrotestosterone. Twelve long-term ovariectomized (OVX) pony mares were used to determine the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) or progesterone (PR) on concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in daily blood samples and after administration of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). All mares were subsequently administered dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to determine if DEX or PR treatment altered the FSH or LH response to this androgen. Daily blood sampling was started on day 1. After a pretreatment injection of GnRH on day 5, four mares were administered DEX at 125 micrograms/kg...
Anesthetic considerations for emergency equine abdominal surgery. The physiologic changes that take place in horses presented for emergency abdominal surgery and the effects of these changes on the horse's anesthetic management are discussed.
Use of stapling instruments to aid in the removal of ovarian tumours in mares. Ovarian granulosa theca cell tumours were removed surgically in 10 mares. Stapling instruments were used to facilitate haemostasis of the ovarian pedicle in five out of 10 cases and as a sole method of haemostasis in the remaining five cases. Postoperative haemorrhage from the ovarian pedicle was suspected in only one case. All cases survived long term follow-up from six months to four years. Results from this series of cases indicate that stapling instruments provide a rapid, easy and efficient means of ligating ovarian pedicles when performing ovariectomy in the mare.
Methods for collecting follicular oocytes from mares. A series of experiments was conducted to develop a procedure for consistent, repeatable collection of oocytes from the preovulatory follicle of the mare. In one experiment, in situ follicular aspiration with a needle and syringe was performed on 19 mares. From 37 aspirations, four oocytes were recovered (10% recovery rate). In a second experiment, ovaries were visualized via standing flank laparotomy during which two different aspiration techniques were used. Use of a needle and syringe as in the first experiment resulted in successful oocyte recovery in one of seven (14%) attempts. Aspiration...
Colic-like discomfort associated with ovulation in two mares. Discomfort manifested by colic-like clinical signs in 2 young mares was presumed to be attributable to ovarian pain associated with follicular enlargement and ovulation. Diagnosis was based on the lack of detectable evidence of gastrointestinal disease, the finding of a large ovarian follicle or recent ovulation, the repetition of signs during several subsequent estrual periods, and the clinical response to pharmacologic suppression of estrus and ovulation. The similarity of the clinical signs in these 2 mares to cyclic intermenstrual pain in women was considered.
Diagonal paramedian approach for removal of ovarian tumors in the mare. A diagonal paramedian approach to the abdomen was used for unilateral ovariectomy in 15 mares. In each case, surgery was performed for removal of a granulosa cell tumor. All horses recovered from surgery with minimal complications. Surgical exposure of the affected ovary was adequate to allow exteriorization and ligation. Other advantages of this approach were ease of closure and lack of postsurgical complications.
Ovarian disorders in domestic animals. The histologic appearance of the ovaries and persistence of corpora lutea vary considerably among domestic animals, particularly between spontaneous and induced ovulators. The seasonally polyestrous mare has a variety of unique characteristics in ovarian structure and general reproductive function. Among the anomalies of ovarian development is the bovine freemartin with gonads containing a mixture of male and female elements. A variety of ovarian cysts occur in domestic animals, and persistent corpora lutea with associated reproductive perturbations occur in several species. Ovarian tumors are...
Juvenile granulosa cell tumour in an equine weanling. A juvenile granulosa cell tumour is described in a 3-month-old Arabian filly. The 32 X 27 X 27 cm tumour had replaced the right ovary. The neoplasm was composed of multiple nodules of neoplastic granulosa cells which formed microfollicles, macrofillicles and cysts, as well as solid nests and trabeculae. The supporting stroma contained theca cells. Mixing of the neoplastic granulosa cells and theca cells in disorderly fashion was noted. The diagnosis was based on age of occurrence and histological appearance.
Influence of administration of ovarian steroids on the function of neutrophils isolated from the blood and uterus of ovariectomized mares. The function of blood and uterine luminal neutrophils from ovariectomized mares treated with ovarian steroids was investigated 18 h after intrauterine infusion of 1 X 10(9) Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Random migration of blood neutrophils under agarose was reduced by treatment with progesterone compared with that of neutrophils from oestradiol-treated and control mares. In-vitro addition of progesterone to blood neutrophils from acyclic ponies also reduced migration. Uterine neutrophils did not migrate under agarose which was probably an effect of bacterial phagocytosis. Hormone treatment had...
Effect of ovarian hormones on promotion of bactericidal activity by uterine secretions of ovariectomized mares. The bactericidal and phagocytic activities of blood neutrophils suspended in uterine washings and the mobilization of neutrophils into the uterine lumen were studied in ovariectomized mares receiving oestradiol benzoate (N = 4), progesterone (N = 4) or oily vehicle (N = 4). Uterine lavage was performed sequentially up to 144 h after induction of endometritis by intrauterine infusion of glycogen (1%). There was no significant difference between the 3 groups in speed of mobilization of neutrophils into the uterus in the first 6 h after infusion but there were significantly more uterine luminal n...
Effect of timing of progesterone administration on pregnancy rate after embryo transfer in ovariectomized mares. Ovariectomized recipient mares were divided into two groups. Group A mares received 300 mg progesterone in oil i.m. daily starting 5 days before transfer of a 7-day embryo. Group B mares received the same dose of progesterone, but starting at least 4 days before donor ovulation. Presence of an embryonic vesicle was determined by ultrasonography; mares were considered to be pregnant if they had normal vesicle development to Day 18. Pregnancy rates were: Group A, 6/8; Group B, 1/12 (P less than 0.01). An additional 4 mares in Group B had a vesicle visible at 14 days which degenerated or did not ...
Influence of follicular status on twinning rate in mares. Between 1982 and 1985, 1015 mares were evaluated using the following parameters: age, mare status (maiden, barren, lactating), Caslick index, Caslick operation, ovarian cycle, ovarian and follicular size, treatments (hCG and intrauterine infusions), number of ovulations after mating (184 mares), number of conceptuses present, dimensions of embryonic vesicles, and pregnancy status 45 days after mating. Mares were examined ultrasonographically between Days 12 and 25 to detect the presence of embryonic vesicles and measure the dimensions of each vesicle. The data were analysed by a stepwise logis...
Evaluation of mare oocyte collection methods and stallion sperm penetration of zona-free hamster ova. Comparisons were made between 2 methods of oocyte recovery from the ovarian follicles of slaughtered mares: 500 oocytes (3 per mare) were obtained by aspiration of follicular fluid from ovaries of 162 mares, and 120 oocytes (8 per mare) by isolation and rupture of follicles from ovaries of 14 mares. In the oocytes recovered after rupture of follicles, 89.2% were morphologically unchanged, in comparison to 29.3% obtained by aspiration of follicular fluid. Stallion spermatozoa capacitated in vitro were tested on zona-free hamster oocytes. The stallion spermatozoa were washed in TCM-199 and prein...
Changes in thecal and granulosa cell LH and FSH receptor content associated with follicular fluid and peripheral plasma gonadotrophin and steroid hormone concentrations in preovulatory follicles of mares. Individual antral follicles from 11 horse mares were studied at three stages of the oestrous cycle to determine the characteristics of the presumptive ovulatory follicle. Mares were ovariectomized (ovex) during the late luteal phase on Day 14 after ovulation (Group 1) and on the 1st (Group 2) or 4th (Group 3) day of oestrus. Every follicle greater than 5 mm in diameter was dissected from each ovary; follicles greater than or equal to 15 mm in diameter were analysed separately while others were pooled by size for subsequent analyses. The presumptive ovulatory follicle possessed the following ch...
Comparison by three different radioimmunoassay systems of the polymorphism of plasma FSH in mares in various reproductive states. FSH was measured in the pituitary, and in pituitary venous and jugular blood collected at frequent intervals from mares in various reproductive states, using 3 validated and highly specific radioimmunoassay systems based on different antibodies, 'o', 'h' and 'e'. In the pituitary, 4 forms of FSH were found which differed in isoelectric point and relative potency in the 3 assays. In jugular blood, mean FSH concentrations and short-term patterns depended on the assay used and the reproductive state of the mare. In pituitary venous blood, although FSH concentrations were greatly elevated above ju...