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The Journal of veterinary medical science2015; 77(12); 1599-1603; doi: 10.1292/jvms.14-0539

Analysis of the equine ovarian structure during the first twelve months of life by three-dimensional internal structure microscopy.

Abstract: A three-dimensional internal structure microscopy (3D-ISM) can clarify the anatomical arrangement of internal structures of equine ovaries. In this study, morphological changes of the equine ovary over the first 12 months of life were investigated by 3D-ISM in 59 fillies and by histological analysis in 2 fillies. The weight and volume of the paired ovaries initially decreased from 0 to 1 months to 2 to 3 months of age and then significantly increased at 8 to 12 months of age. The ovulation fossa was first observed around the 3rd month and became evident after the 6th month. The number of follicles with a diameter of ≥10 mm and the diameter of the largest follicle increased gradually after 6 months of age. On a volume basis, the medulla accounted for nearly 90% of the whole ovary at 0 to 1 months of age, but significantly decreased from 2 to 3 months of age. The volume of the cortex increased progressively after birth and reached approximately 60% of the total volume at 8 to 12 months of age. This significant development of the cortex coincided with the increased number and size of large follicles observed from 6 months of age. These results suggest that the development of the cortex plays a role in the maturation of the follicles and the equine ovary undergoes substantial morphological changes postnatally until puberty.
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Publication Date: 2015-07-18 PubMed ID: 26194605PubMed Central: PMC4710715DOI: 10.1292/jvms.14-0539Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the changes in the structure of horse ovaries during the first year of life using a three-dimensional microscope. The findings show that the horse ovary undergoes significant changes and growth during this period, suggesting that the development of the outer layer of the ovary plays a role in the maturation of the ovaries and the eggs within them.

Study Methodology

  • The researchers used a three-dimensional internal structure microscope (3D-ISM), a device that enables a detailed examination of the internal structure of biological samples, to investigate the morphological changes that occurred in the ovaries of young fillies over their first year of life.
  • The team studied a total of 59 fillies, with some undergoing histological analysis, a more detailed technique used to study the microscopic structure of tissues.

Main Findings

  • The weight and volume of the paired ovaries were found to decrease in the first 1-3 months, before significantly increasing between 8 to 12 months.
  • The ovulation fossa, a depression in the ovary where ovulation occurs, became noticeable around the third month and prominent after the sixth month.
  • The number of follicles (structures in the ovaries that mature into eggs) with a diameter of ≥10 mm and the diameter of the largest follicle increased after six months of age.
  • On a volume basis, the medulla (the inner region of the ovary) composed nearly 90% of the ovary at birth, but this proportion decreased significantly by the time the foal was 2 to 3 months old.
  • The volume of the cortex (the outer portion of the ovary) progressively increased after birth, composing about 60% of the total volume at 8 to 12 months of age.
  • The significant development of the cortex coincided with the increased number and size of large follicles observed after 6 months of age.

Conclusion

  • The researchers concluded that the data suggests the development of the cortex plays a significant role in the maturation of the horse’s ovaries and the follicles within them.
  • The study showed that equine ovaries undergo substantial changes postnatally until puberty, possibly allowing for a better understanding of ovarian development, function, and potential reproductive issues in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Ono M, Akuzawa H, Nambo Y, Hirano Y, Kimura J, Takemoto S, Nakamura S, Yokota H, Himeno R, Higuchi T, Ohtaki T, Tsumagari S. (2015). Analysis of the equine ovarian structure during the first twelve months of life by three-dimensional internal structure microscopy. J Vet Med Sci, 77(12), 1599-1603. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.14-0539

Publication

The Journal of veterinary medical science
ISSN: 1347-7439
NlmUniqueID: 9105360
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 77
Issue: 12
Pages: 1599-1603

Researcher Affiliations

Ono, Mamiko
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan.
Akuzawa, Hiroki
    Nambo, Yasuo
      Hirano, Yuuko
        Kimura, Junpei
          Takemoto, Satoko
            Nakamura, Sakiko
              Yokota, Hideo
                Himeno, Ryutaro
                  Higuchi, Tohru
                    Ohtaki, Tadatoshi
                      Tsumagari, Shigehisa

                        MeSH Terms

                        • Aging
                        • Animals
                        • Female
                        • Horses / growth & development
                        • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods
                        • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / veterinary
                        • Microscopy / methods
                        • Microscopy / veterinary
                        • Ovary / anatomy & histology
                        • Ovary / growth & development

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                        Citations

                        This article has been cited 1 times.
                        1. Alves BG, Alves KA, Gastal GDA, Gastal MO, Figueiredo JR, Gastal EL. Spatial distribution of preantral follicles in the equine ovary. PLoS One 2018;13(6):e0198108.
                          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198108pubmed: 29897931google scholar: lookup
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