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Theriogenology2001; 55(6); 1211-1239; doi: 10.1016/s0093-691x(01)00479-4

Regulation of ovarian follicular dynamics in farm animals. Implications for manipulation of reproduction.

Abstract: In this review, the main features of folliculogenesis are summarized and compared among species. In the past few years, ultrasonography has clarified follicle growth patterns, and our understanding of follicle maturation has improved considerably. As the follicles develop towards the ovulatory stage, three features appear to be highly conserved across all species: 1) the sequence of events (recruitment, selection and dominance); 2) the sequential need for gonadotropins (FSH for recruitment, LH for dominance) and 3) the large variability of numerical parameters (number of waves per cycle, number of follicles per wave) as well as temporal requirements (time of selection, duration of dominance). In addition, specific follicles may also have variable gonadotropin requirements (thresholds). When patterns of follicle development at different physiological states are compared across species, follicular waves were detected in cattle, sheep and horses and during the prepubertal period in swine, suggesting that ovaries of all species operate on a wave basis unless they are prevented from doing so. Efficient estrus control treatments should have the ability to affect 1) the wave pattern by preventing the development of persistent dominant follicles containing aging oocytes, and 2) the recruitment of the future ovulatory follicle whatever the stage of the wave at the time of treatment. This would allow synchronous ovulation of a growing dominant follicle. Manipulation of the luteal phase follicular waves after mating or AI may also optimize fertility. Superovulation is still an efficient technique to obtain progeny from genetically valuable females. Administration of exogenous gonadotropins acts to reveal the underlying ovarian variability. Ovarian response of each female depends on the number of gonado-sensitive follicles present at the time when treatment is initiated. Identification of the number of such follicles for each female would improve efficacy of superovulation, by allocating potential nonresponders to other techniques (OPU/FIV). One of the main components of the within female response to superovulation is the stage of the wave when gonadotropins are injected. Treatment in the absence of a dominant follicle ensures a response close to the female's specific maximum. The development of practical approaches to achieve this still requires further research.
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Publication Date: 2001-05-01 PubMed ID: 11327681DOI: 10.1016/s0093-691x(01)00479-4Google 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 research article offers comprehensive knowledge about folliculogenesis or the process of follicle development in farm animals. It also focuses on how the regulation of this process could be manipulated to optimize reproduction, particularly through treatments that control estrus or the mating cycle, superovulation techniques, and proposed future research directions.

Understanding Folliculogenesis

  • Folliculogenesis is the process where ovarian follicles grow and mature for ovulation. This study presents a summarized view of the key aspects of folliculogenesis across different farm animal species.
  • Recent improvements in ultrasonography technology have immensely helped in understanding the growth patterns of follicles.
  • A key finding is that there are three highly conserved features during follicle development across all species. These include the sequence of events (recruitment, selection, and dominance), the sequential need for specific gonadotropins (FSH for recruitment, LH for dominance), and the large variability in specific parameters (number of waves per cycle, follicles per wave, and temporal requirements like time of selection and duration of dominance).

Follicle Development and Gonadotropin Requirements

  • The article proposes that follicles might also have variable requirements for gonadotropin hormones, i.e., thresholds. To understand this, a comparison was made between the patterns of follicle development across various physiological states and species.
  • Follicular waves were detected in livestock animals, including cattle, sheep, horses, and during the prepubertal period in swine, indicating that ovaries operate on a wave basis across all species, unless mechanically restricted.

Manipulating Folliculogenesis for Reproduction

  • Effective control treatments for estrus should be capable of altering the wave pattern to prevent the development of dominant follicles with ageing oocytes, and facilitating the recruitment of the future ovulatory follicle regardless of the wave stage at treatment initiation. As a result, synchronized ovulation from a dominant follicle can be achieved.
  • Additionally, manipulation of luteal phase follicular waves post mating or artificial insemination could help optimize fertility.
  • The process of superovulation, or the stimulation of multiple egg production in a single menstrual cycle, is highlighted as a successful technique for breeding genetically valuable females. Here, external gonadotropins help to exhibit the inherent variability of the ovaries.

Superovulation and Future Research

  • The ovarian response to superovulation differs in each female and depends on the number of receptive follicles present when treatment is started.
  • A suggestive improvement for superovulation would be identifying the number of responsive follicles in each female, to categorize potential non-responders and dedicate them to other techniques like OPU/FIV.
  • Exploiting superovulation would warrant the absence of a dominant follicle at the time of gonadotropin injection. However, developing practical methodologies to achieve this necessitates further research.

Cite This Article

APA
Driancourt MA. (2001). Regulation of ovarian follicular dynamics in farm animals. Implications for manipulation of reproduction. Theriogenology, 55(6), 1211-1239. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0093-691x(01)00479-4

Publication

Theriogenology
ISSN: 0093-691X
NlmUniqueID: 0421510
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 6
Pages: 1211-1239

Researcher Affiliations

Driancourt, M A
  • Intervet Pharma R&D, Beaucouze, France. marc-antoine.driancourt@intervet.com

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic / physiology
  • Breeding / methods
  • Estrus Synchronization
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / physiology
  • Luteinizing Hormone / physiology
  • Models, Biological
  • Ovarian Follicle / growth & development
  • Ovarian Follicle / physiology
  • Reproduction
  • Seasons
  • Superovulation

References

This article includes 143 references

Citations

This article has been cited 24 times.
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