Preantral follicle density in ovarian biopsy fragments and effects of mare age.
Abstract: The aims of the present study were to: (1) evaluate preantral follicle density in ovarian biopsy fragments within and among mares; (2) assess the effects of mare age on the density and quality of preantral follicles; and (3) determine the minimum number of ovarian fragments and histological sections needed to estimate equine follicle density using a mathematical model. The ovarian biopsy pick-up method was used in three groups of mares separated according to age (5-6, 7-10 and 11-16 years). Overall, 336 preantral follicles were recorded with a mean follicle density of 3.7 follicles per cm. Follicle density differed (P<0.05) among animals, ovarian fragments from the same animal, histological sections and age groups. More (P<0.05) normal follicles were observed in the 5-6 years (97%) than the 11-16 years (84%) age group. Monte Carlo simulations showed a higher probability (90%; P<0.05) of detecting follicle density using two experimental designs with 65 histological sections and three to four ovarian fragments. In summary, equine follicle density differed among animals and within ovarian fragments from the same animal, and follicle density and morphology were negatively affected by aging. Moreover, three to four ovarian fragments with 65 histological sections were required to accurately estimate follicle density in equine ovarian biopsy fragments.
Publication Date: 2017-04-27 PubMed ID: 28442043DOI: 10.1071/RD15402Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research aims to examine the density of preantral follicles in ovaries using biopsy fragments from mares of different ages, understand the impact of the age of mares on the density and quality of these follicles, and determine the minimum required amount of ovarian fragments and histological sections to accurately estimate follicle density with a mathematic model.
Understanding Preantral Follicle Density
In this study, the researchers aimed to:
- Evaluate preantral follicle density in ovarian biopsy fragments within and among mares. Preantral follicles are the immature follicles in the ovaries that have not yet developed to the stage where they can release an egg during ovulation.
- This part of the research was critical to thoroughly understanding the distribution, quantity, and health of immature follicles among mares of varying ages.
- An ovarian biopsy pickup method was used on three groups of mares, separated according to age (5-6, 7-10, and 11-16 years).
Impact of Mare Age on Follicle Density and Quality
- To assess the effects of mare age on the density and quality of preantral follicles, data was compared between age groups.
- The research showed that follicle density varied among the animals, ovarian fragments from the same animal, histological sections, and age groups.
- They also observed more healthy (normal) follicles in the mares of lower age range (5-6 years) compared to the mares in the highest age range (11-16 years). This might suggest age negatively impacts follicle health.
Estimating Follicle Density
The third aim of the study was to determine:
- The minimum number of ovarian fragments and histological sections required to estimate equine follicle density accurately.
- The researchers found that using two experimental designs with 65 histological sections and three to four ovarian fragments resulted in a 90% chance of accurately detecting follicle density.
Conclusions of the Study
The study concluded that:
- There’s a variation in equine follicle density both among animals and within ovarian fragments from the same animal. The density and morphology of follicles were noted to be negatively affected by aging.
- Around three to four ovarian fragments along with 65 histological sections are needed to accurately estimate follicle density in equine ovarian biopsy fragments.
Cite This Article
APA
Alves KA, Alves BG, Gastal GDA, Haag KT, Gastal MO, Figueiredo JR, Gambarini ML, Gastal EL.
(2017).
Preantral follicle density in ovarian biopsy fragments and effects of mare age.
Reprod Fertil Dev, 29(5), 867-875.
https://doi.org/10.1071/RD15402 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), State University of Ceará, Campus do Itaperi, 60714-903, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
- Center for Studies and Research in Animal Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Federal University of Goiás, Campus Samambaia, 74690-900, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, 1205 Lincoln Dr, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Aging / physiology
- Animals
- Biopsy
- Female
- Horses
- Models, Theoretical
- Ovarian Follicle / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Hyde KA, Aguiar FLN, Alvarenga PB, Rezende AL, Alves BG, Alves KA, Gastal GDA, Gastal MO, Gastal EL. Characterization of preantral follicle clustering and neighborhood patterns in the equine ovary. PLoS One 2022;17(10):e0275396.
- Hyde KA, Aguiar FLN, Alves BG, Alves KA, Gastal GDA, Gastal MO, Gastal EL. Preantral follicle population and distribution in the horse ovary. Reprod Fertil 2022 Apr 1;3(2):90-102.
- Requena F, Campos MJAPM, Martínez Marín AL, Camacho R, Giráldez-Pérez RM, Agüera EI. Assessment of Age Effects on Ovarian Hemodynamics Using Doppler Ultrasound and Progesterone Concentrations in Cycling Spanish Purebred Mares. Animals (Basel) 2021 Aug 8;11(8).
- Souza SS, Alves BG, Alves KA, Brandão FAS, Brito DCC, Gastal MO, Rodrigues APR, Figueireod JR, Teixeira DIA, Gastal EL. Heterotopic autotransplantation of ovarian tissue in a large animal model: Effects of cooling and VEGF. PLoS One 2020;15(11):e0241442.
- Alves BG, Alves KA, Gastal GDA, Gastal MO, Figueiredo JR, Gastal EL. Spatial distribution of preantral follicles in the equine ovary. PLoS One 2018;13(6):e0198108.
- Kong HS, Lee J, Youm HW, Kim SK, Lee JR, Suh CS, Kim SH. Effect of treatment with angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor on the quality of xenografted bovine ovarian tissue in mice. PLoS One 2017;12(9):e0184546.
- Gastal GDA, Hamilton A, Alves BG, de Tarso SGS, Feugang JM, Banz WJ, Apgar GA, Nielsen CK, Gastal EL. Ovarian features in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns and does. PLoS One 2017;12(5):e0177357.
- Romero P, Carrocera S, García A, Nieto P, Iglesias T, Muñoz M, Díez C. Approaching Standardization of Bovine Ovarian Cortex Cryopreservation: Impact of Cryopreservation Protocols and Tissue Size on Preantral Follicle Population. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 15;16(2).
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