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Home / Equine Research Bank / Reprod Domest Anim / Characteristics of follicular dynamics and reproductive horm...
Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2021; 56(3); 448-458; doi: 10.1111/rda.13883

Characteristics of follicular dynamics and reproductive hormone profiles during oestrous cycles of jennies over an entire year.

Abstract: Although donkeys have been domesticated for over 6,000 years, limited information is available concerning their reproductive physiology, especially under intensive rearing conditions. The aims of this experiment were to study follicular dynamics and reproductive hormone variation in jennies during the inter-ovulatory interval in different seasons. A total of 12 continuous cycles of six Dezhou Black (DB) donkey jennies were examined in four different seasons. The diameters of the six largest follicles of each jenny were measured daily by ultrasonography, and blood samples were collected at fixed times for reproductive hormone assays. The results demonstrated that most jennies displayed regular oestrous cycles in all seasons. The follicular dynamics were similar in Spring, Summer and Winter, while the jennies had longer oestrous cycles with delayed follicular deviation and dominant selection in Autumn. At least two follicular waves were observed in each oestrous cycle, throughout the study, but two jennies presented oestrous cycles with three follicular waves in the Autumn. The numbers of follicular waves were consistent with the numbers of FSH surges. Oestrous characteristics of the jennies in a large herd were also analysed. The results showed that the rates of regular oestrous cycles were 83.1% (265/319), 89.6% (215/240), 80.2% (235/293) and 77.1% (178/231), with 26.4% (70/265), 19.5% (42/215), 22.1% (52/235) and 23.0% (41/178) double ovulation rates in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, respectively. The results presented may be useful for donkey farms in the design of breeding strategies.
© 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2021-01-05 PubMed ID: 33368622DOI: 10.1111/rda.13883Google 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.

The research article outlines a study on reproductive cycles of Dezhou Black donkey females, examining follicular variations and hormonal changes across different seasons. It aims to enhance the understanding of the reproductive physiology of these donkeys, to help design effective breeding strategies.

Methodology and Study Subjects

  • The study focused on six Dezhou Black donkey females, often referred to as jennies. The study was conducted over four seasons, with continuous monitoring of 12 cycles.
  • The reproductive health of these subjects was assessed through daily ultrasonography and timed blood samples, which allowed the researchers to record follicular changes and hormone levels respectively.

Follicular Dynamics across Seasons

  • The research showed that most jennies had regular oestrous cycles in all seasons, suggesting their reproductive system is not significantly influenced by seasonal changes.
  • However, in Autumn, the jennies displayed longer oestrous cycles with delayed follicular deviation (changes in the follicle structure and size) and dominant selection (selection of a dominant follicle as an egg). This indicates that while the cycle remains regular, the cycle length and follicular dynamics may vary with the season.
  • In each cycle, at least two follicular waves were observed, with two jennies showing three follicular waves in Autumn. Follicular waves refer to the growth and regression of groups of follicles during the menstrual cycle.

Hormonal Profiles

  • The findings revealed a correlation between the number of follicular waves and the occurrence of FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone) surges. FSH is a hormone regulating the growth, development, pubertal maturation and reproductive processes of the body.

Oestrous Characteristics in Large Herds

  • The researchers also analyzed oestrous characteristics in large herds. The results exhibited regular oestrous cycle rates of 83.1%, 89.6%, 80.2% and 77.1%, with double ovulation rates of 26.4%, 19.5%, 22.1% and 23.0% in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, respectively. Double ovulation means two eggs are released during the cycle instead of one.

Implications for Breeding Strategies

  • The findings detailed in this paper could prove beneficial to donkey farms in devising effective breeding strategies. Understanding the regular oestrous cycles, variation in follicular waves, and the impact of different seasons on ovulation can enable farms to plan breeding for optimum results.

Cite This Article

APA
Li N, Yang F, Yu J, Yang W, Wu S, Ma J, Liu B, Zhang R, Zhou X, Losinno L, Miragaya MH, Zeng S. (2021). Characteristics of follicular dynamics and reproductive hormone profiles during oestrous cycles of jennies over an entire year. Reprod Domest Anim, 56(3), 448-458. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.13883

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 56
Issue: 3
Pages: 448-458

Researcher Affiliations

Li, Nan
  • National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Yang, Feng
  • National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Yu, Jie
  • National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd., Done-E Country, China.
Yang, Weigang
  • National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
Wu, Shuaishuai
  • National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd., Done-E Country, China.
Ma, Jinliang
  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Yang Zhou University, Jiangsu, China.
Liu, Bing
  • National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd., Done-E Country, China.
Zhang, Ruitao
  • National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd., Done-E Country, China.
Zhou, Xiangshan
  • National Engineering Research Center for Gelatin-based Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dong-E-E-Jiao Co. Ltd., Done-E Country, China.
Losinno, Luis
  • Laboratory of equine Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, National University of Rio Cuarto, Rio Cuarto, Argentina.
Miragaya, Marcelo H
  • Institute of Research and Technology in animal reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Zeng, Shenming
  • National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Equidae / blood
  • Equidae / physiology
  • Estrogens / blood
  • Estrous Cycle / physiology
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Ovarian Follicle / diagnostic imaging
  • Ovarian Follicle / physiology
  • Progesterone / blood
  • Seasons
  • Somatomedins / analysis
  • Ultrasonography / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • 201605410411137 / Dezhou donkey semen quality and insemination technology improvement project

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Segabinazzi LGTM, Gilbert RO, Ambrosia RL, Bergfelt DR, Samper JC, Peterson EW, French HM. Structural and Functional Dynamics of the Ovary and Uterus during the Estrous Cycle in Donkeys in the Eastern Caribbean.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 24;13(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13010074pubmed: 36611684google scholar: lookup
  2. Guo Y, Zhao W, Li N, Dai S, Wu H, Wu Z, Zeng S. Integration analysis of metabolome and transcriptome reveals the effect of exogenous supplementation with mixtures of vitamins ADE, zinc, and selenium on follicular growth and granulosa cells molecular metabolism in donkeys (Equus asinus).. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:993426.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.993426pubmed: 36387403google scholar: lookup
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