Follicle development in mares.
Abstract: The mare provides a unique experimental model for studying follicle development in monovular species. Development of antral follicles in horses is characterized by the periodic growth of follicular waves which often involve the selection of a single dominant follicle. If properly stimulated, the dominant follicle will complete development and eventually ovulate a fertile oocyte. Regulation of follicular wave emergence and follicle selection involves an interplay between circulating gonadotropins and follicular factors that ensures that individual follicles are properly stimulated to grow (or to regress) at any given stage of follicular wave development. Periodic development of follicular waves continuously occurs during most of post-natal life in the mare and is influenced by factors such as stage of oestrous cycle, season, pregnancy, age, breed and individual so that different types of follicular waves (minor or major, ovulatory or anovulatory) and different levels of activity within waves may develop under different physiological conditions. Changes in gonadotropin levels and/or in the sensitivity of follicles to circulating gonadotropins seem to account largely for these physiological variations in follicle development.
Publication Date: 2008-07-25 PubMed ID: 18638128DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01166.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Review
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 paper revolves around the development of antral follicles in horses – a process characterized by the growth of follicular waves and often involving the selection of a single dominant follicle. The study also emphasizes the regulatory interplay between circulating gonadotropins and follicular factors, varying under different physiological conditions.
Unique Experimental Model: The Mare
- The study uses mares as a unique model to study follicle development in monovular species, species that typically produce one ovum or egg cell per ovulation or reproductive cycle.
Follicle Development Characterization
- The research describes the development of antral follicles in horses as a periodic growth process of follicular waves.
- This process often involves the selection of a single dominant follicle, which, if accurately stimulated, can complete development and ovulate a fertile oocyte.
Regulation of Follicular Wave Emergence and Follicle Selection
- The paper discusses the regulatory interplay between hormones or gonadotropins circulating in the body and follicular factors.
- This complex interaction ensures that individual follicles are appropriately stimulated to grow (or to regress) at any given stage of the follicular wave development process.
Periodic Development of Follicular Waves
- Follicular waves’ periodic development continuously occurs during most of the mare’s post-natal life.
- This occurrence is subject to variation based on factors such as the animal’s stage in the oestrous cycle, season, pregnancy status, age, breed, and individual characteristics.
- As a result, different types of follicular waves (minor or major, ovulatory or anovulatory) and various levels of activities within waves may develop under different physiological conditions.
Physiological Variations in Follicle Development
- The research suggests that changes in gonadotropin levels and/or follicles’ sensitivity to circulating gonadotropins seem to account for most of these physiological variations in follicle development.
Cite This Article
APA
Donadeu FX, Pedersen HG.
(2008).
Follicle development in mares.
Reprod Domest Anim, 43 Suppl 2, 224-231.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01166.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Roslin Institute, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. xavier.donadeu@ed.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Estrous Cycle / physiology
- Female
- Follicular Phase / physiology
- Gonadotropins, Equine / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Oocytes
- Ovarian Follicle / cytology
- Ovarian Follicle / physiology
- Ovulation / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Coelho LA, Silva LA, Reway AP, Buonfiglio DDC, Andrade-Silva J, Gomes PRL, Cipolla-Neto J. Seasonal Variation of Melatonin Concentration and mRNA Expression of Melatonin-Related Genes in Developing Ovarian Follicles of Mares Kept under Natural Photoperiods in the Southern Hemisphere.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Mar 15;13(6).
- Benammar A, Derisoud E, Vialard F, Palmer E, Ayoubi JM, Poulain M, Chavatte-Palmer P. The Mare: A Pertinent Model for Human Assisted Reproductive Technologies?. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 4;11(8).
- Kaps M, Okada CTC, Gautier CM, Aurich J, Aurich C. Deslorelin Slow-Release Implants Delay Ovulation and Increase Plasma AMH Concentration and Small Antral Follicles in Haflinger Mares.. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 28;11(6).
- da Silveira JC, Carnevale EM, Winger QA, Bouma GJ. Regulation of ACVR1 and ID2 by cell-secreted exosomes during follicle maturation in the mare.. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2014 May 26;12:44.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
