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Home / Equine Research Bank / Biol Reprod / Comparative study of the dynamics of follicular waves in mar...
Biology of reproduction2004; 71(4); 1195-1201; doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.104.031054

Comparative study of the dynamics of follicular waves in mares and women.

Abstract: Deviation in growth rates of the follicles of the ovulatory wave begins at the end of a common growth phase and is characterized by continued growth of the developing dominant follicle (F1) and regression of the largest subordinate follicle (F2). Follicle diameters during an interovulatory interval were compared between 30 mares and 30 women, using similar methods for collecting and analyzing data. Follicles were tracked and measured daily by ultrasonography. Diameter at follicle emergence (mares, 13 mm; women, 6 mm) and the required minimal attained diameter for assessment of follicles (mares, 17 mm; women, 8 mm) were chosen to simulate the reported ratio between the two species in mean diameter of F1 at the beginning of deviation (mares, 22.5 mm; women, 10.5 mm). F1 emerged before F2 (P < 0.02) in each species, and the interval between emergence of the two follicles was similar (not significantly different) between species. Growth rate for F1 and F2 during the common growth phase was similar within species, and the percentage of diameter increase was similar between species. Proportionality between species in diameter of F1 at deviation (2.2 times larger for mares than for women) and at maximum preovulatory diameter (2.1 times larger) indicated that relative growth of F1 after deviation was similar between species. A predeviation follicle was identified in 33% of mares and 40% of women and was characterized by growth to a diameter similar to F1 at deviation but with regression beginning an average of 1 day before the beginning of deviation. The incidence of a major anovulatory wave preceding the ovulatory wave was not different between species (combined, 25%). Results indicated that mares and women have comparable follicle interrelationships during the ovulatory wave, including 1) emergence of F1 before F2, 2) similar length of intervals between sequential emergence of follicles within a wave, 3) similar percentage growth of follicles during the common growth phase, and 4) similar relative diameter of F1 from the beginning of deviation to ovulation. Similar follicle dynamics between mares and women indicate the mare may be a useful experimental model for study of folliculogenesis in women, with the advantage of larger follicle size.
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Publication Date: 2004-06-09 PubMed ID: 15189824PubMed Central: PMC2891974DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.104.031054Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 paper compares the dynamics of follicular waves, which are important to fertility and ovulation, in mares and women. The study found that there are strong similarities in follicular growth rates, emergence, interval between follicle emergence, and relative sizes between the two species, suggesting that mares could be suitable models for studying human folliculogenesis, particularly given their larger follicle size.

Overview of the Study

  • The researchers tracked the ovulatory wave of follicle growth in 30 women and 30 mares using ultrasonography. This wave involves the development of a dominant follicle (F1) that continues to grow and a subordinate follicle (F2) that eventually regresses.
  • The team compared follicle diameters during the interovulatory interval, a period between two ovulation episodes. They adjusted their analysis to account for the size difference in the follicles of mares and women at both emergence and at a benchmark assessment size.

Main Findings

  • The dominant follicle (F1) was found to emerge in both species before the subordinate follicle (F2) and the time interval between the emergence of the two follicles was not significantly different in mares and women.
  • The growth rates of F1 and F2 during the common growth phase of the ovulatory wave were similar within the species. The same was true for the percentage increase in follicle diameter between the two species.
  • The team also identified a predeviation follicle in some of the subjects, which grew to a similar size as F1 but started to regress around 1 day earlier.
  • The study found no difference in the incidence of a major anovulatory wave, a period when ovulation does not occur, preceding the ovulatory wave in women and mares.

Implications of the Findings

  • The team concluded that mares and women have comparable dynamics in their ovulatory wave. This means the processes surrounding the emergence of follicles, intervals between their appearance, growth during common growth phase, and relative size from the start of deviation to ovulation show remarkable similarities in the two species.
  • These findings suggest that mares could be used as an animal model to further understand the process of folliculogenesis in women. This is advantageous because the larger follicle size in mares eases the process of studying its dynamics.

Cite This Article

APA
Ginther OJ, Gastal EL, Gastal MO, Bergfelt DR, Baerwald AR, Pierson RA. (2004). Comparative study of the dynamics of follicular waves in mares and women. Biol Reprod, 71(4), 1195-1201. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.104.031054

Publication

Biology of reproduction
ISSN: 0006-3363
NlmUniqueID: 0207224
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 71
Issue: 4
Pages: 1195-1201

Researcher Affiliations

Ginther, O J
  • Eutheria Foundation, Cross Plains, Wisconsin 53528, USA. ginther@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
Gastal, E L
    Gastal, M O
      Bergfelt, D R
        Baerwald, A R
          Pierson, R A

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Estrous Cycle / physiology
            • Female
            • Horses
            • Humans
            • Ovarian Follicle / diagnostic imaging
            • Ovarian Follicle / physiology
            • Ovulation / physiology
            • Species Specificity
            • Ultrasonography

            Grant Funding

            • 11489 / Canadian Institutes of Health Research

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 31 times.
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