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Animal reproduction science2003; 78(3-4); 239-257; doi: 10.1016/s0378-4320(03)00093-9

Mechanism of follicle deviation in monovular farm species.

Abstract: Diameter deviation is a distinctive change in growth rates among the follicles of a wave, heralding the formation of a dominant follicle and subordinate follicles. When the follicles are about 5mm in cattle and 13 mm in horses, the wave-stimulating FSH surge reaches peak concentrations. Follicle and FSH manipulation studies in both species have shown that the declining portion of the surge before the beginning of deviation is a function of multiple growing follicles that require the decreasing FSH. During this time, all follicles of the wave have the potential for future dominance. Deviation begins when the two largest follicles on average are 8.5 and 7.7 mm in cattle and 22.5 and 19.0 mm in horses or about 3 days after the FSH peak in both species. The FSH/follicle relationship is close so that a change in one event soon causes a detectable change in the other. Thus, the difference in diameter between the two largest follicles at the beginning of deviation is compatible with rapid establishment of the destiny of the two follicles before the second-largest follicle can also show dominance. The deviation mechanism is initiated when FSH concentrations are low and the most advanced follicle reaches a specific developmental stage. In cattle, the future dominant follicle develops greater LH-receptor expression than the other follicles about 8 h before the beginning of diameter deviation. Estradiol and free IGF-1 begin to establish higher concentrations in the future dominant follicle than in other follicles and activin-A is transiently elevated in both follicles a few hours before the beginning of diameter deviation. In horses, estradiol, free IGF-1, activin-A, and inhibin-A begin to increase differentially in the future dominant follicle about 1 day before deviation. These changes underlie a greater responsiveness to LH and FSH by the developing dominant follicle than for other follicles, thereby accounting for deviation. Results of in vitro studies, although frequently done in other species, support this conclusion.
Publication Date: 2003-06-24 PubMed ID: 12818647DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4320(03)00093-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research explains the mechanism involved in follicle deviation in monovular farm animals, such as cattle and horses. The study shows how follicle and FSH manipulation studies have established that the deviation process is initiated when FSH concentrations are low and the advanced follicle reaches a specific developmental stage.

Follicle Development and Deviation

  • The research emphasizes diameter deviation, a change in growth rates among follicles that signifies the formation of a dominant follicle and subordinate follicles. In cattle and horses, this occurs when follicles reach about 5mm and 13mm sizes respectively.
  • The deviation begins approximately three days after the FSH peak, when the two largest follicles average 8.5mm and 7.7mm in cattle, and 22.5mm and 19.0mm in horses. At this stage, any follicle has the potential for future dominance.
  • The study indicates that a change in either FSH or follicle size can lead to a noticeable change in the other. This ensures the quick establishment of the destiny of the two largest follicles before the second largest can show dominance.

The Role of Hormones and Receptor Expression

  • The research identifies the hormone FSH, its concentration, and the developmental stage of the advanced follicle as fundamental to initiating the deviation mechanism.
  • In cattle, the future dominant follicle starts to develop more LH-receptor expression than other follicles about 8 hours before diameter deviation begins.
  • Hormones like Estradiol and free IGF-1 begin creating higher concentrations in the dominant follicle than in the other follicles. Activin-A also rises temporarily in both types of follicles a few hours before diameter deviation starts.

Unique Characteristics in Horses

  • In horses, the upcoming dominant follicle begins to experience differential increases in estradiol, free IGF-1, activin-A, and inhibin-A approximately 1 day before deviation.
  • It’s these alterations that result in a higher responsiveness to LH and FSH by the developing dominant follicle than the other follicles, leading to follicle deviation.

Support from In Vitro Studies

  • Although many are conducted on different species, in vitro studies back these findings.

Cite This Article

APA
Ginther OJ, Beg MA, Donadeu FX, Bergfelt DR. (2003). Mechanism of follicle deviation in monovular farm species. Anim Reprod Sci, 78(3-4), 239-257. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-4320(03)00093-9

Publication

ISSN: 0378-4320
NlmUniqueID: 7807205
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 78
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 239-257

Researcher Affiliations

Ginther, O J
  • Eutheria Foundation, 4343 Garfoot Road, Cross Plains, WI 53528, USA. ojg@ahabs.wisc.edu
Beg, M A
    Donadeu, F X
      Bergfelt, D R

        MeSH Terms

        • Activins / physiology
        • Animals
        • Cattle / physiology
        • Estradiol / physiology
        • Female
        • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / physiology
        • Horses / physiology
        • Inhibins / physiology
        • Luteinizing Hormone / physiology
        • Ovarian Follicle / anatomy & histology
        • Ovarian Follicle / growth & development
        • Somatomedins / physiology

        Citations

        This article has been cited 15 times.
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