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Home / Equine Research Bank / Reprod Fertil / Preantral follicle population and distribution in the horse ...
Reproduction & fertility2022; 3(2); 90-102; doi: 10.1530/RAF-21-0100

Preantral follicle population and distribution in the horse ovary.

Abstract: Characterization of the ovarian preantral follicle population is a necessary step to improve understanding of folliculogenesis and ovarian physiology. Therefore, in the present study, the preantral follicle population in the equine ovary in young and old mares was investigated according to follicular morphology, follicular class, distance from the geometric center using ovarian maps, and follicular density within ovarian portions (lateral vs intermediary) and regions (dorsal vs ventral). Ovaries were collected from an abattoir and histologically processed for evaluation, and the follicle population was calculated. Overall, in the current detailed study, a higher preantral follicle population per mare ovary (mean: 82,206 ± 50,022; range: 1477 to 773,091) than originally reported was identified. Additionally, a mare age effect was observed in the follicle population (young: 152,664 vs old: 11,750) and the spatial distribution of morphologically normal and abnormal follicles and the density and population of follicular classes. These results demonstrate that, in addition to the preantral follicle population in the mare ovary being comparable to that of other species, the location and spatial distribution of these follicles is dynamic and varies depending on mare age and follicle status (i.e. morphology and developmental stage). The characterization of the distribution and population of preantral follicles in the mare ovary provided by this study can potentially aid in improving reproductive studies and assisted reproductive techniques and may expand the understanding of mechanisms involving ovarian plasticity and follicular migration. Knowledge of the distribution and population of immature eggs within follicles (preantral follicles) in the ovaries of mares can improve approaches to assisted reproductive techniques and fertility preservation. As the existing research on horse preantral follicle population was focused solely on large follicles, the present study provides an updated investigation of small and large preantral follicles in the mare, showing that the population is similar to those in other species. This study also shows that the way these follicles are distributed in the ovary varies depending on age and follicle characteristics. Results from this study may help to highlight which areas of the mare ovary should be looked at to find samples of good-quality follicles.
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Publication Date: 2022-04-04 PubMed ID: 35706578PubMed Central: PMC9175592DOI: 10.1530/RAF-21-0100Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • 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.

The research article focuses on investigating the population and spatial arrangement of preantral follicles (immature egg cells) in horse ovaries, which will help in enhancing the understanding of reproductive studies and assisted reproduction techniques.

About the Study

  • The research includes an in-depth study of the preantral follicle population in the ovaries of horses, both young and old. The aim is to improve our understanding of folliculogenesis (the maturation of ovarian follicle) and ovarian physiology (functions of ovaries).
  • Ovaries for this study were obtained from an abattoir, processed histologically (tissue examined microscopically), and the number of follicles were counted.

Study Findings

  • The study identified a higher than previously reported population of preantral follicles in horse ovaries. The mean number of follicles recorded per horse ovary is 82,206.
  • The study saw a significant impact of age on the number of follicles present. Young horses had considerably more follicles (152,664) compared to the older ones (11,750).
  • Notably, the spatial distribution of these follicles was observed to be changing and differed depending on the age of the horse and the status of follicles, such as its morphology (shape, size) and developmental stage.

Implications of the Study

  • This research exemplifies that preantral follicle population in a horse ovary is similar to that of other species.
  • Understanding the distribution and population of preantral follicles in horse ovaries could potentially improve reproductive studies and assisted reproductive techniques.
  • Further, the findings can bring about a better understanding of the mechanisms involving ovarian plasticity (ability to change/ adapt) and follicular migration (movement of follicles).

In conclusion, the research provides substantial insights about the population and distribution of immature eggs within follicles in the ovaries of horses. These findings can contribute significantly to enhancing fertility preservation and assisted reproductive practices.

Cite This Article

APA
Hyde KA, Aguiar FLN, Alves BG, Alves KA, Gastal GDA, Gastal MO, Gastal EL. (2022). Preantral follicle population and distribution in the horse ovary. Reprod Fertil, 3(2), 90-102. https://doi.org/10.1530/RAF-21-0100

Publication

Reproduction & fertility
ISSN: 2633-8386
NlmUniqueID: 101778727
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 3
Issue: 2
Pages: 90-102

Researcher Affiliations

Hyde, Kendall A
  • Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA.
Aguiar, Francisco L N
  • Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA.
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Sousa Campus, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Paraíba, Sousa, Paraíba, Brazil.
Alves, Benner G
  • Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA.
Alves, Kele A
  • Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA.
Gastal, Gustavo D A
  • Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA.
  • Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Estación Experimental INIA La Estanzuela, Colonia, Uruguay.
Gastal, Melba O
  • Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA.
Gastal, Eduardo L
  • Animal Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Ovarian Follicle
  • Ovary
  • Pelvis
  • Reproduction

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. 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.
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