89 CONCENTRATION OF ZINC IN FLUID FOLLICULAR OF FEMALE HORSES

Abstract

The follicular fluid manage and keeps the nutrition of the oocyte and granulosa cell, which are develop inside this liquid. As well this fluid contains growth hormones, growth factors, and some micro-minerals as zinc (Zn). Resources report that Zn could avoid the earlier meiotic detention of the gametes, strengthen the structure of the chromatin due to the discovery of the Zn fingers, while also decrease the oxidative damage and inhibit the electrodes transportation by connecting to the Cytochrome b. The goals of this research were to determine the Zn concentration in the follicular fluid of female horses and define suitable concentration and supplementation in an embryonic culture. The first step of this research was to obtain follicular fluid from 23 female horses; these were classified by follicular size: F1 <1 cm, F2 between 1 and 2 cm, F3 >2 cm. The Zn was measured by spectrophotometry atomic absorption (μg mL–1). The use of the statistics program SAS version 9.3 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) with a complementary random model, with factorial adjustments. Significance was established when P < 0.001. Obtaining significant differences on the Zn concentration on different follicles (P < 0001). Group F1 0.68 ± 0.15 μg mL–1, F2 1.42 ± 0.17 μg mL–1, and F3 1.8 ± 0,32. Table 1 shows the results of the volume and total concentration. Results indicate that Zn concentration varies with size and maturity of the follicle. Therefore, Zn required to be supplemented could be different as a function of the follicular development; further studies are required to evaluate the embryonic response to Zn addition in different maturation media and to correlate with survival rates. Table 1.Concentration of zinc in fluid follicular of female horses