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Home / Equine Research Bank / Reproduction / Follicle selection in cattle and horses: role of intrafollic...
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)2006; 132(3); 365-377; doi: 10.1530/rep.1.01233

Follicle selection in cattle and horses: role of intrafollicular factors.

Abstract: The eminent event in follicle selection during a follicular wave in monovular species is diameter deviation, wherein one follicle continues to grow (developing dominant) and other follicles (subordinates) begin to regress. In cattle, the IGF system, oestradiol and LH receptors are involved in the intrafollicular events initiating deviation as indicated by the following: (1) concentrations of free IGF-I and oestradiol in the follicular fluid and number of LH receptors in the follicular wall increase more dramatically in the future dominant follicle than in the future subordinate follicles before the beginning of deviation and (2) ablation of the largest follicle (LF) or injection of recombinant human IGF (rhIGF)-I into the second LF at the expected beginning of deviation increases the concentrations of oestradiol in second LF before the expected beginning of deviation between second LF and third LF. In horses, an increase in free IGF-I, oestradiol, inhibin-A and activin-A is greater in the future dominant follicle than in other follicles before the beginning of deviation. However, free IGF-I is the only one of these four factors needed for the initiation of deviation in horses as indicated by the following: (1) ablation of LF at the expected beginning of deviation increases the concentrations of free IGF-I in second LF before the beginning of deviation between second LF and third LF but does not increase the other factors; (2) injection of rhIGF-I into second LF at the expected beginning of deviation causes second LF to continue to grow and become a codominant follicle and (3) injection of IGF-binding protein-3 into LF at the expected beginning of deviation causes LF to regress and second LF to become dominant. Thus, the dramatic changes in the IGF system in LF compared to other follicles before the beginning of deviation play a crucial role in the events that lead to the beginning of diameter deviation in both cattle and horses. Oestradiol and LH receptors also play a role in cattle. These intrafollicular events prepare the selected follicle for the decreasing availability of FSH and increasing availability of LH. The other follicles of the wave have the same future capability but do not have adequate time to attain a similar preparatory stage.
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Publication Date: 2006-08-31 PubMed ID: 16940278DOI: 10.1530/rep.1.01233Google 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 study explores how follicle selection occurs in cattle and horses, pinpointing key difference in biological processes. Specifically, it highlights the role of factors within the follicle, including Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), oestradiol, and luteinising hormone (LH) receptors, that influence the process of follicle selection or deviation – in which one follicle continues to grow while the others begin to regress.

Understanding Follicle Selection and Deviation

  • The study focuses on follicle selection during a follicular wave, a central event in the reproductive cycle of monovular species like cattle and horses. A key feature of this process is ‘diameter deviation’ – where one follicle (the future dominant one) continues to grow, while the others (subordinate follicles) begin to regress or stop growing.
  • The research investigates the impact of intrafollicular factors on follicle selection, primarily in cattle. According to this study, the Insulin-like growth factor system (IGF), oestradiol, and luteinising hormone (LH) receptors are involved in triggering deviation.

Intrafollicular Factors in Cattle

  • Concentrations of free IGF-I and oestradiol along with the number of LH receptors increase more significantly in the future dominant follicle, setting off diameter deviation. Experimental manipulation of these factors, such as removing the largest follicle or injecting recombinant human IGF-I, can alter the concentrations of oestradiol and induce deviation.

Intrafollicular Factors in Horses

  • In horses, researchers found that the preferable growth of the future dominant follicle is associated with a higher increase in free IGF-I, oestradiol, inhibin-A, and activin-A. Yet, only free IGF-I is required for initiating deviation in horses, as shown by experiments similar to those conducted in cattle. Injection of recombinant human IGF-I or an IGF-binding protein can essentially change which follicle becomes dominant.

Significance of Intrafollicular Factors

  • The alteration in the IGF system in the leading follicle, as compared to the other follicles, plays a significant role in initiating the diameter deviation process in both cattle and horses. In addition to IGF, oestradiol and LH receptors also contribute to the process in cattle.
  • These changes within the follicle prepare it for shifts in hormones availability – specifically a decrease in the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and an increase in LH. The other follicles could potentially reach these developmental stages, but lack the necessary time for such preparation.

Cite This Article

APA
Beg MA, Ginther OJ. (2006). Follicle selection in cattle and horses: role of intrafollicular factors. Reproduction, 132(3), 365-377. https://doi.org/10.1530/rep.1.01233

Publication

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
ISSN: 1470-1626
NlmUniqueID: 100966036
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 132
Issue: 3
Pages: 365-377

Researcher Affiliations

Beg, M A
  • Department of Animal Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1656 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
Ginther, O J

    MeSH Terms

    • Activins / metabolism
    • Animals
    • Cattle / physiology
    • Estradiol / metabolism
    • Female
    • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / metabolism
    • Follicular Fluid / metabolism
    • Horses / physiology
    • Inhibins / metabolism
    • Luteinizing Hormone / metabolism
    • Ovarian Follicle / physiology
    • Ovulation / physiology
    • Receptors, LH / metabolism
    • Somatomedins / metabolism

    Citations

    This article has been cited 22 times.
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