A comparison of dissected follicle numbers and follicle counts on the ovarian surface for the evaluation of ovarian follicular populations in Bos indicus cows

Fitzpatrick, L. A. and Entwistle, K. W. (1997) A comparison of dissected follicle numbers and follicle counts on the ovarian surface for the evaluation of ovarian follicular populations in Bos indicus cows. Animal Reproduction Science, 46 3-4: 179-186.

Document type:	Journal Article
Collection:	School of Veterinary Science Publications

Author(s)	Fitzpatrick, L. A. Entwistle, K. W.
Title	A comparison of dissected follicle numbers and follicle counts on the ovarian surface for the evaluation of ovarian follicular populations in Bos indicus cows
Journal name	Animal Reproduction Science
Publication date	1997
Sub-type	Article
Volume number	46
Issue number	3-4
ISSN	0378-4320; 1873-2232
Start page	179
End page	186
Total pages	8
Place of publication	Amsterdam
Publisher	Elsevier Science
Language	eng
Subject	0707 Veterinary Sciences
Abstract	Ovaries (n = 140) from 70 mixed-age multiparous, lactating Brahman cross (3/4-7/8 Bos indicus) cows were used to examine the hypothesis that counts of follicles visible on the surface of the ovaries of Bos indicus cows and their classification into diameter size classes, are closely correlated with numbers of follicles in those size classes found by complete dissection of the ovary. immediately after ovariectomy, mean diameters (long and short axes averaged) of all follicles greater than or equal to 2 mm visible on the surface of each ovary were measured. All follicles greater than or equal to 2 mm were dissected from the ovaries, excess stroma removed and follicle diameters measured under a stereomicroscope using an ocular graticule. For each ovary, follicles were classified in either small (<4 mm), medium (4-8 mm) or large (>8 mm) categories based on either diameters of surface or dissected follicles. Data for numbers of surface and dissected follicles (mean +/- SE) in small, medium, large categories and total follicle numbers, respectively, were 24.4 +/- 1.6 vs. 28.0 +/- 1.9, 1.6 +/- + 0.2 vs. 11.6 +/- 1.0, 0.5 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.1 and 26.4 +/- 1.6 vs. 40.4 +/- 2.5. Correlation coefficients (r) for counts of surface and dissected follicles in small, medium, large and total follicle numbers were 0.76, 0.40, 0.69 and 0.79, respectively. Medium size follicles presented only a small translucent area on the surface of the ovary, leading to an underestimate of numbers when categorised by surface evaluation. Counts of follicles visible on the surface of the ovaries of Bos indicus cows and their classification into size classes based on estimated diameter, are closely correlated with numbers of follicles in those size classes found at dissection of the ovary for small (<4 mm), large (>8 mm) and total follicles but not for medium sized (4-8 mm) follicles. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.
Keyword(s)	Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science Reproductive Biology Cattle-ovary Ovary Follicular Populations Suckled Beef-cows Estrous-cycle Stimulating Hormone Bovine Follicles Corpus-luteum Postpartum Heifers Growth Cattle Fluid