Total Number Of Follicles Research Articles

Breeding soundness evaluation and reproductive management in Baldras sport horses

Morphometric characterization, breeding soundness evaluation and reproductive management of 33 sport horses (14 mares and 19 stallions) belonging to Palace Administration was carried out for 6 months from January to June/2014. Animals were also subjected to condition scoring, and detailed evaluation through ultrasonography, semen analysis and fertility test using AL The overall age, BCS and body weight were 15±5.7 years, 5.2±1.3 and 327.7±33.3 Kg, respectively. Stallions were significantly older than the mares while mares were heavier with relatively poorer BCS. Body weight was significantly correlated with girth both in mares (p<0.05; r=0.97) and stallions (p<0.05; r=0.68). Comparison of body morphometry among mares, studs and neutered stallions showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in loin length, front and hind leg height, and head length. BCS and scrotal circumference of the breeding stallions (n=12) were highly correlated (P<0.05; r=0.60). The length of estrous cycle and estrus in the breeding mares were 16.1±3.5 days and 7-12 days, respectively. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the total number of follicles among the mares. The mean (±SD) diameters of the first-largest and pre-ovulatory follicles were 24.3±9.23 mm and 29.4±9.19 mm, respectively. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the diameter of the preovulatory follicles among the breeding mares. Fresh semen was generally characterized by poor motility (<50%), small live percent (54.3%), high gel volume (>40%) and very poor freeze ability (<10% in total motility of frozen thawed semen) however, fertility of fresh semen was 50%. Poor performances are signs of inbreeding that also render the studs unfit for breeding. A proper reproductive management is required to mitigate further loss of performance and influence of inbreeding depression.Keywords: breeding soundness, morphometry, semen analysis, sporting horses, ultrasonography

Exposure Duration-Dependent Ovarian Recovery in Methoxychlor-Treated Mice.

The pesticide methoxychlor (MXC) is known to target ovarian antral follicles in the mouse. In previous in vivo studies, MXC administration for 20 days increased atresia, but did not affect female fertility immediately after dosing. Thus, we hypothesized that perhaps not enough time had elapsed between the onset of MXC-induced atresia and actual follicle loss to result in reduced fertility. The current study was undertaken to determine whether MXC treatment for 20 days results in reduced antral follicle numbers and fertility at 30 and 60 days after dosing. To test this hypothesis, adult CD-1 female mice were dosed with vehicle control or MXC (64 mg/kg/day) for 20 days. At 30 and 60 days postdosing, the mice were either subjected to fertility tests or their ovaries were collected and subjected to histological evaluation of follicle numbers and atresia. The results indicate that at 30 days after the completion of dosing, MXC significantly increased atresia and reduced primordial and total follicle numbers, but did not affect fertility compared to controls. At 60 days after completion of dosing, MXC did not significantly affect fertility, follicle numbers, or atresia compared to controls. Collectively, these data indicate that the ovary may be able to recover from MXC treatment for 20 days.

What are the best predictors for successful GnRH antagonist protocol in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment?

Objective: To determine factors that affect the success rate of GnRH antagonist protocol in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.Design: Retrospective cohort study.Patients: Patients who underwent IVF cycle with their first GnRH antagonist protocol.Intervention: Antagonist protocol during IVF treatment. The main outcome measurements were; Number of retrieved oocytes, embryo quality and pregnancy rate.Results: Gravidity was negatively correlated with number of eggs (p = 0.017), while total follicle number ≥15 (p = 0.044) and E2 on day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) (p = 0.000) had a positive correlation with number of eggs. Maximum follicle size at HCG administration showed a trend toward an inverse correlation (p = 0.053). Addition of LH to drug stimulation was negatively correlated with number of eggs in comparison to rFSH only (p = 0.013 and 0.0000, respectively). Age and number of frozen eggs were negatively correlated with successful pregnancy (p = 0.025 and 0.004, respectively), while embryo quality, gravidity and number of embryos were positive (p = 0.011 and 0.014, respectively).Conclusion: Controlled parameters like timing of antagonist start, duration of antagonist and the optimal leading follicle diameter for HCG triggering had no effect on treatment outcomes.

Investigation of acute effects of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort-Kantaron) treatment in experimental thermal burns and comparison with silver sulfadiazine treatment.

Hypericum perforatum (HP) (St. John's Wort-Kantaron) has been used widely for the treatment of burn injuries for many years in traditional Turkish medicine. The aim of study was to investigate HP treatment in experimental thermal burns and compare it with silver sulfadiazine (SS) treatment.Thirty-five rats were randomly assigned to one of the five groups, 7 rats in each. A second-degree thermal burn was created on the dorsal sites of rats by exposing an area of 4×4 cm to 100 °C boiled water for 10 seconds. All groups were provided with irrigation for three (3) minutes with 50 cc saline solution (SS). Group 1 (Control Group) was not administered any treatment. Group 2 (Burn Control Group) was administered only irrigation, Group 3 (topical silver sulfadiazine [SS]) was administered SS twice a day, Group 4 (the Topical HP Group) was administered HP four times a day (every six hours), Group 5 (treatment with agent -gel-) was administered other topical material used for the preparation of HP four times a day (every six hours). Wound site healing on the skin was histopathologically evaluated.It was found that collagen discoloration of the HP treatment group was localized in the lower part of the epidermal layer and did not go up to the depth of dermis compared to the other groups, and epidermis, hair follicles and sebaceous glands remained protected compared to the groups administered burn, gel and SS in every hour of the experiment and it was the group closest to the control group structurally. It was determined that the epidermal thickness and the number of vessels of the HP Group were significantly higher compared to the other groups (p<0.05), which was the group closest to the control group in terms of these parameters and these numbers did not show any difference within hours (p>0.05). The number of degenerated hair follicles in the HP Group was significantly less than the other groups (p <0.05), and it was determined that the total number of hair follicles significantly increased in the twenty-fourth (p<0.05) and this number did not differ by the control group (p>0.05).Administration of HP four times a day within the first 24 hours is clearly effective in wound healing in the experimental thermal second degree burn modality and is significantly superior to SS treatment.

Endocrine and ovarian responses in water buffalo cows immunized against inhibin and subjected to the Ovsynch protocol

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of stimulating ovarian follicle development in order to improve fertility in water buffalo cows by immunization against inhibin. The experiment was carried out in early summer (May) and included 24 multi-parity crossbred Murrah-Swamp buffaloes that were divided into immunized (n=11) and control (n=13) groups. Each immunized cow was administered with a 2-mL immunogen of mineral oil adjuvant containing 2 mg of recombinant inhibin α-subunit fusion protein. The controls were treated with the adjuvant only. All animals received Ovsynch protocol treatment, starting on the day of the antigen administration, and they were artificially inseminated upon behavioral estrus. As a result, all of the immunized buffaloes generated antibodies against inhibin during the experimental period and had higher plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), activin, and estradiol (E2) related to estrous expression. A higher proportion of immunized animals expressed estrus behavior than did the controls (72% vs. 30%, P<0.05). On average, inhibin-immunized buffaloes had significantly more large follicles (≥9 mm in diameter) than the controls (mean±SEM; 1.2±0.1 vs. 0.84±0.1, respectively; P<0.05) and a slightly higher mean total number of follicles (≥2 mm; 11.4±0.7 vs. 9.0±1.1, respectively; P=0.09) and small (2–4 mm) follicles (8.81±0.6 vs. 6.84±1.0, respectively; P=0.12). A higher percentage of cows ovulated in the immunized group than in the control group (91% (10/11) vs. 54% (7/13), respectively; P<0.05). Moreover, inhibin-immunized cows had slightly larger corpus luteum (CL) than the controls 9 days after ovulation and significantly higher (P<0.01) post-ovulation peak plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations. Immunization against inhibin also marginally increased the conception rate 42 days after insemination (45.8% vs. 15.4%; P>0.05). These results demonstrate that immunization against inhibin, coupled with the treatment with the Ovsynch protocol, can constitute a new technique to increase fertility in water buffalo cows.

Effects of birthweight on reproductive system development and onset of puberty in gilts.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of birthweight on bodyweight development, development of the genital tract, onset of puberty and their associations with insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 and leptin concentrations. Pairs of littermate gilts from 51 litters were selected: one piglet with the highest birthweight (HW; 1.5±0.2kg) and the other with the lowest birthweight (LW; 1.0±0.2kg). Gilt pairs were killed at either fixed ages (80.8±1.2 days; AG; 16 pairs), fixed bodyweight (35.2±1.4kg; WG; 16 pairs) or after first oestrus (EG; 19 pairs). In the AG group, HW gilts were 5.6kg heavier at the time of death than LW gilts. In the WG group, LW gilts were 5.9 days older at the time of death (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the number or size of total antral follicles or in the follicle population among birthweight classes. Age at puberty was similar between the HW and LW gilts, but bodyweight at time of death was greater for HW gilts (P<0.05). Birthweight did not affect the development of the genital tract, ovulation rate or hormone plasma concentrations. These results suggest that birthweight does not affect the development of the genital tract before puberty and puberty onset.

MYBL2 guides autophagy suppressor VDAC2 in the developing ovary to inhibit autophagy through a complex of VDAC2-BECN1-BCL2L1 in mammals

Oogenesis is essential for female gamete production in mammals. The total number of ovarian follicles is determined early in life and production of ovarian oocytes is thought to stop during the lifetime. However, the molecular mechanisms underling oogenesis, particularly autophagy regulation in the ovary, remain largely unknown. Here, we reveal an important MYBL2-VDAC2-BECN1-BCL2L1 pathway linking autophagy suppression in the developing ovary. The transcription factors GATA1 and MYBL2 can bind to and activate the Vdac2 promoter. MYBL2 regulates the spatiotemporal expression of VDAC2 in the developing ovary. Strikingly, in the VDAC2 transgenic pigs (Sus scrofa/Ss), VDAC2 exerts its function by inhibiting autophagy in the ovary. In contrast, Vdac2 knockout promotes autophagy. Moreover, VDAC2-mediated autophagy suppression is dependent on its interactions with both BECN1 and BCL2L1 to stabilize the BECN1 and BCL2L1 complex, suggesting VDAC2 as an autophagy suppressor in the pathway. Our findings provide a functional connection among the VDAC2, MYBL2, the BECN1-BCL2L1 pathway and autophagy suppression in the developing ovary, which is implicated in improving female fecundity.

Effect of Feeding Longan Dimocarpus longan Residue before Estrus Synchronization on Reproductive Performance in Ewes

To evaluate the effect of feeding longan residue (longan fruit; grade C) before estrus synchronization on reproductive performance in sheep, sixteen ewes observed in estrus were selected and randomly assigned to 2 groups: control group (n=8) received the maintenance diet whiles the longan-supplemented group (n=8) received the maintenance diet plus 300 g DM/head/day of longan fruit for 17 days. Blood concentrations of glucose, insulin, progesterone (P4), and estradiol (E2), and follicular population were recorded. After the nutritional treatments, all ewes were synchronized for estrus with controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR) devices and 400 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin. Ewes exhibiting estrus were subjected to assisted natural mating by rams. Ewes fed longan-supplemented diet had greater feed intake than ewes fed the control diet. Glucose concentrations were higher in longan-supplemented than those in control ewes on days 7, 14, and 17. Insulin concentrations were only higher in longan-supplemented group than those in control group on day 17. The longan-supplemented ewes had higher E2 concentrations than non-supplemented ewes on days 14 and 17. On days 14 and 17, numbers of total follicles had significantly greater in longan-supplemented ewes compared with control ewes. Estrous response and conception rate were not different between control and treatment ewes. It was concluded that the 17 days of dietary supplementation stimulate ovary (total follicles) ready to respond to the synchronization of estrus. However, dietary supplementation with longan fruit in ewes prior to the start of the estrus synchronization did not enhance reproductive performance.

Influence of puberty and antral follicle count on calving day in crossbred beef heifers

Lifetime productivity and longevity are greater in beef cows that give birth early in their first calving season. The ability of heifers to conceive early in the breeding season is traditionally thought to be a function of pubertal status; however, recent evidence suggests that antral follicle count is positively associated with calving day in pubertal beef heifers. Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that the total number of ovarian follicles may alter response to hormonal synchronization protocols. The objectives of this study were to confirm the beneficial influence of antral follicle count on calving day in beef heifers and to determine whether response to PGF2α is associated with differences in antral follicle counts. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was designed to investigate the interaction between calving period (early vs. late) and PGF2α (control vs. PGF) on calving day and antral follicle count in yearling beef heifers (n = 95). As intended, calving day was less in the early calving period compared to the late calving period (P < 0.01). There were no differences in calving day in response to treatment with PGF2α (P > 0.05). There was a significant interaction between calving period and PGF2α on age at first calving (P < 0.01), such that heifers treated with PGF2α that gave birth early were younger than heifers treated with saline that gave birth early. Calf weaning weights were greater in the early calving group than in the late calving group (P < 0.01). Heifers that gave birth in the early calving group possessed more antral follicles at prebreeding ultrasonographic examination than heifers that gave birth in the late calving group (P = 0.05). These findings confirm that antral follicle counts are associated with calving day in pubertal beef heifers. The use of antral follicle counts as a prebreeding phenotype provides additional utility to reproductive tract scoring for commercial production because of its association with calving day. As a prebreeding ovarian phenotype, antral follicle counts may hold additional applicability for organic beef producers looking to reduce the length of their calving season without increasing the total number of replacement heifers retained.

Glutamate Cysteine Ligase Modifier Subunit (Gclm) Null Mice Have Increased Ovarian Oxidative Stress and Accelerated Age-Related Ovarian Failure.

Glutathione (GSH) is the one of the most abundant intracellular antioxidants. Mice lacking the modifier subunit of glutamate cysteine ligase (Gclm), the rate-limiting enzyme in GSH synthesis, have decreased GSH. Our prior work showed that GSH plays antiapoptotic roles in ovarian follicles. We hypothesized that Gclm(-/-) mice have accelerated ovarian aging due to ovarian oxidative stress. We found significantly decreased ovarian GSH concentrations and oxidized GSH/oxidized glutathione redox potential in Gclm(-/-) vs Gclm(+/+) ovaries. Prepubertal Gclm(-/-) and Gclm(+/+) mice had similar numbers of ovarian follicles, and as expected, the total number of ovarian follicles declined with age in both genotypes. However, the rate of decline in follicles was significantly more rapid in Gclm(-/-) mice, and this was driven by accelerated declines in primordial follicles, which constitute the ovarian reserve. We found significantly increased 4-hydroxynonenal immunostaining (oxidative lipid damage marker) and significantly increased nitrotyrosine immunostaining (oxidative protein damage marker) in prepubertal and adult Gclm(-/-) ovaries compared with controls. The percentage of small ovarian follicles with increased granulosa cell proliferation was significantly higher in prepubertal and 2-month-old Gclm(-/-) vs Gclm(+/+) ovaries, indicating accelerated recruitment of primordial follicles into the growing pool. The percentages of growing follicles with apoptotic granulosa cells were increased in young adult ovaries. Our results demonstrate increased ovarian oxidative stress and oxidative damage in young Gclm(-/-) mice, associated with an accelerated decline in ovarian follicles that appears to be mediated by increased recruitment of follicles into the growing pool, followed by apoptosis at later stages of follicular development.

Oestrous response and characterization of the ovulatory wave following oestrous synchronization using PGF2α alone or combined with GnRH in ewes

Effects of two oestrous synchronization protocols (Ovsynch vs double PGF2α injection) on oestrous activity, characterization of the ovulatory wave and fertility were studied in ewes during the breeding season. The Ovsynch-treated ewes (GPG-group, n=14) received a GnRH analogue (4μg buserelin; i.m.) followed by a PGF2α analogue (10mg dinoprost tromethamine; i.m.) on day 7 and a second injection of a GnRH analogue 48h later. The double PGF2α-treated ewes (2PGF-group, n=14) received a double injection of a PGF2α analogue (10mg dinoprost tromethamine; i.m.), 11 days apart. Follicular dynamic was ultrasonographically monitored for four consecutive days, starting at the day of the last PGF2α treatment in both groups (day 0). Oestrous response and fertility traits were also recorded. The total number of follicles and the number of small follicles did not differ between the two regimes, while the number of medium follicles increased (P=0.05) in the 2PGF-group. During four consecutive scanning days (0, 1, 2 and 3), the number of the large follicles increased significantly in both groups from day 0 to day 2. This increase continued until day 3 in the 2PGF-group, whereas it decreased sharply in the GPG-group. Oestrous rate and time to onset of oestrus were lower (P<0.05 and P=0.1; respectively) in the GPG-group (42.85%; 34.0±2.1h) than in the 2PGF-group (78.57%; 50.4±7.3h). Treatment with GPG-protocol reduced (P<0.05) the interval from the second PGF2α treatment to ovulation compared with the 2PGF-protocol (85.8% of ewes ovulated within 60.0±3.1h vs 78.6% of ewes ovulated within 84.4±3.1h). Conception rate and litter size did not differ between the two regimes. In conclusion, a tighter synchrony of ovulation could be obtained following application of Ovsynch-protocol in sheep.

Preselection of high and low ovulatory responders in sheep multiple ovulation and embryo transfer programs

The present study evaluated the feasibility of carrying out an easy-to-handle and cost-efficient test for the preselection of high– and low–ovulatory responder ewes under superovulatory protocols. The test was based on the assessment of the number of ovulations obtained in response to the administration of a single-shot eCG treatment. The predictive value of the test was determined by comparing the number of ovulations with yields obtained in response to a multiple-dose FSH treatment. In addition, the study determined possible effects of follicular status at first FSH dose and their relationship with subsequent ovarian response. A total of 31 Merino ewes received hormonal treatment comprising the administration of 800 IU of eCG at the end of progestative treatment. Twenty-three days later, multiple-dose FSH treatment (80-mg FSH, in six decreasing doses between Days 12 and 14 of a second progestative treatment) was applied to the same ewes. The study showed a significant relationship between the number of corpora lutea obtained in response to eCG treatment with respect to those obtained in response to FSH treatment (r = 0.791; P < 0.05), which resulted in 84% recurrence rate. The number of embryos was greater for high-responder in relation to low-responder ewes (7.2 ± 3.7 and 4.0 ± 3.9, respectively; P < 0.05), whereas rates of recovery and fertilization were similar between groups (P > 0.05). Hence, there was a tendency for a higher mean of grades 1 and 2 embryos in high-responder in relation to low-responder ewes (6.1 ± 3.8 and 3.7 ± 4.0, respectively; P < 0.1). No significant relationship was found between the number of corpora lutea in response to FSH treatment and the number of small and total follicles at first FSH dose (P > 0.05). However, a negative low relationship was found between the presence of large follicles and the ovulation rate in response to FSH treatment (r = −0.361; P < 0.05). In conclusion, the results show the feasibility of carrying out an easy-to-handle and cost-efficient procedure for the preselection of embryo donors. The procedure was based on high recurrence rate between hormonal treatments, which in turn accounts for a distinctive ewe ovulatory response.

The effects of electromagnetic fields on the number of ovarian primordial follicles: An experimental study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an electromagnetic field (EMF), generated close to the ovaries, on primordial follicles. A total of 16 rats were used in this study. The study group consisted of rats exposed to an EMF in the abdominal region for 15 min/d for 15 days. Both the study and control group were composed of eight rats. After the treatment period of 15 days, the ovaries of the rats were extracted, and sections of ovarian tissue were taken for histological evaluation. The independent samples t test was used to compare the two groups. In the study group, the means of the right and left ovarian follicle numbers were 34.00 ± 10.20 and 36.00 ± 10.53, respectively. The average total ovarian follicle number was 70.00 ± 19.03. In the control group, the means of the right and left ovarian follicle numbers were 78.50 ± 25.98 and 71.75 ± 29.66, respectively, and the average total ovarian follicle number was 150.25 ± 49.53. The comparisons of the means of the right and left ovarian follicle numbers and the means of the total ovarian follicle numbers between the study and control groups indicated that the study group had significantly fewer follicles (p < 0.001, p = 0.011, and p = 0.002, respectively). This study found a significant decrease in the number of ovarian follicles in rats exposed to an EMF. Further clinical studies are needed to reveal the effects of EMFs on ovarian reserve and infertility.

Lengthened superstimulatory treatment in cattle: Evidence for rescue of follicles within a wave rather than continuous recruitment of new follicles

A study was designed to compare the effects of a conventional (4 days) versus a lengthened (7 days) superstimulation protocol on follicle dynamics and to test the hypothesis that superstimulatory treatment only rescues small follicles within the wave. Nonlactating beef cows received a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device [PRID] and were superstimulated with 400-mg FSH on the day of follicle ablation-induced wave emergence (Day 0). The control group (n = 5) received FSH over 4 days, whereas the long group (n = 5) received FSH over 7 days. PGF was administered twice on Day 2 (control group) or 5 (long group), and PRIDs were removed 24 hours after the first PGF. Cows received 25-mg LH 24 hours after PRID removal. The cows chosen for the present study represented a subset from a larger group of 24 cows in which superovulation results were obtained and published. Cows in the present study were those with the lowest antral follicle counts at the time of wave emergence in order to facilitate tracking of individual follicles. Daily ultrasonographic examinations monitored follicle diameters and numbers. A reduction (P < 0.01) in the number of 1- to 2-mm follicles from Day 0 to the end of the superstimulatory treatment was associated with a progressive shift to the next size category in both groups. On the day of LH treatment, the number of follicles in any size category did not differ between groups. The number of follicles of diameter 5 mm or less decreased during superstimulation (i.e., no continuous recruitment of small follicles; P < 0.001), and the number of follicles of diameter 1 mm or greater at the end of superstimulation did not differ from that at the beginning of superstimulation (P = 0.739). However, the total number of follicles of diameter 3 mm or greater at the end was greater than the number of follicles of diameter 3 mm or greater at the beginning of superstimulation because of growth of the 1- to 2-mm population during treatment (P < 0.001). Follicle growth was slower in the long group than in the control group. Results support the hypothesis that both 4-day and 7-day superstimulatory protocols rescue small antral follicles present at the time of wave emergence; there was no evidence for continuous recruitment of new follicles. Results also provide rationale for the hypothesis that a lengthened treatment protocol is associated with greater follicle maturation and capacity to ovulate.

Ovarian reserve after treatment with alkylating agents during childhood.

What is the effect of different alkylating agents used without pelvic radiation to treat childhood cancer in girls on the ovarian reserve in survivors? Ovarian reserve seems to be particularly reduced in survivors who received procarbazine (in most cases for Hodgkin lymphoma) or high-dose chemotherapy; procarbazine but not cyclophosphamide dose is associated with diminished ovarian reserve. A few studies have demonstrated diminished ovarian reserve in survivors after various combination therapies, but the individual role of each treatment is difficult to assess. Prospective cross-sectional study, involving 105 survivors and 20 controls. One hundred and five survivors aged 17-40 years and 20 controls investigated on Days 2-5 of a menstrual cycle or Day 7 of an oral contraceptive pill-free interval. ovarian surface area (OS), total number of antral follicles (AFC), serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). Survivors had a lower OS than controls: 3.5 versus 4.4 cm(2) per ovary (P = 0.0004), and lower AMH levels: 10.7 versus 22 pmol/l (P = 0.003). Ovarian markers (OS, AMH, AFC) were worse in patients who received high-dose compared with conventional-dose alkylating agents (P = 0.01 for OS, P = 0.002 for AMH, P < 0.0001 for AFC). Hodgkin lymphoma survivors seemed to have a greater reduction in ovarian reserve than survivors of leukaemia (P = 0.04 for AMH, P = 0.01 for AFC), sarcoma (P = 0.04 for AMH, P = 0.04 for AFC) and other lymphomas (P = 0.04 for AFC). A multiple linear regression analysis showed that procarbazine but not cyclophosphamide nor ifosfamide dose was associated with reduced OS (P = 0.0003), AFC (P = 0.0007), AMH (P < 0.0001) and higher FSH levels (P < 0.0001). The small percentage of participating survivors (28%) from the total cohort does not allow conclusion on fertility issues because of possible response bias. The association between procarbazine and HL makes it impossible to dissociate their individual impacts on ovarian reserve. The number of controls is small, but ovarian volume and AMH levels in survivors were compared with published normal values and results were unchanged. Early detection and follow-up of compromised ovarian function after cancer therapy should help physicians to counsel young survivors about their fertility window. However, longitudinal follow-up is required to determine the rate of progression from low ovarian reserve to premature ovarian failure. La Ligue contre le Cancer (grant no., PRAYN7497). The authors have no competing interests to disclose.

Ovarian follicular development, estradiol and progesterone profile during different days of early pregnancy in buffaloes *

Improvement of reproductive performance of buffaloes requires a better understanding of the mechanisms controlling ovarian follicular growth and development. To study the follicular dynamics and ovarian steroid profile during early pregnancy, 6 buffaloes were selected on the basis of non return rate after insemination and subjected for ultrasonography to confirm the pregnancy as well as follicular development. The mean number of medium, large and total follicles was significantly lower on days 30, 40, 50 and 60 than day 20 of pregnancy indicating reduction in the follicular population with the advancement of pregnancy. There was no significant difference in the diameter of small and medium follicles on different days of pregnancy, however, large follicle significantly decreased with advancement of pregnancy. The progesterone levels fluctuated between 2.52±0.26 and 3.12±0.44 ng/ml until third month of pregnancy. The mean serum estradiol was significantly higher on day 0 and reduced into basal level on first and second month and remained low throughout the study period. In conclusion, on day 20 to 60 of pregnancy, the follicular development is continuous and the number and diameter of larger follicle is decreased as pregnancy advances in buffaloes.

Postnatal oogenesis in humans: a review of recent findings.

In spite of generally accepted dogma that the total number of follicles and oocytes is established in human ovaries during the fetal period of life rather than forming de novo in adult ovaries, some new evidence in the field challenges this understanding. Several studies have shown that different populations of stem cells, such as germinal stem cells and small round stem cells with diameters of 2 to 4 μm, that resembled very small embryonic-like stem cells and expressed several genes related to primordial germ cells, pluripotency, and germinal lineage are present in adult human ovaries and originate in ovarian surface epithelium. These small stem cells were pushed into the germinal direction of development and formed primitive oocyte-like cells in vitro. Moreover, oocyte-like cells were also formed in vitro from embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. This indicates that postnatal oogenesis is not excluded. It is further supported by the occurrence of mesenchymal stem cells that can restore the function of sterilized ovaries and lead to the formation of new follicles and oocytes in animal models. Both oogenesis in vitro and transplantation of stem cell-derived “oocytes” into the ovarian niche to direct their natural maturation represent a big challenge for reproductive biomedicine in the treatment of female infertility in the future and needs to be explored and interpreted with caution, but it is still very important for clinical practice in the field of reproductive medicine.

Hair growth promoting potential of phospholipids purified from porcine lung tissues.

BP201, porcine lung tissue-derived phospholipids, consists of phosphatidylcholine as a major phospholipid species. BP201 promoted hair growth after application onto the shaved backs of BALB/c and C3H mice. Its effect was enhanced when applied together with minoxidil (MNX) in C3H mice. When the tissue specimens prepared from the shaved skins of BP201-treated and control mice were microscopically examined, the total numbers of hair follicles in both anagen and telogen phases of BP201-treated mice were significantly higher than those of control mice. The numbers of hair follicles in the anagen phase of BP201-treated mice were also higher than those of control mice. In combination with MNX, BP201 further increased the total number of hair follicles, but did not alter the percentage of hair follicles in the anagenic phase. BP201 also increased the proliferation of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells. Collectively, BP201 possesses hair growth promoting potential, which would suggest its use singly or in combination for hair growth products.

The effect of ethanol sclerotherapy of 5 minutes duration on cyst diameter and rat ovarian tissue in simple ovarian cysts.

ObjectivesTo examine the effect of 95% ethanol sclerotherapy (EST) administered over 5 minutes on cyst diameter and ovarian tissue in experimentally induced simple ovarian cysts in a rat model.Materials and methodsIn order to induce ovarian cysts, unilateral total salpingectomy was performed in regularly menstruating adult female Wistar albino rats (n=20) between 12 and 14 weeks of age and weighing between 200 and 220 g. One month after the procedure, the abdominal cavity was opened and 14 rats (70%) were found to have developed macroscopic cysts. Rats with macroscopic cysts (n=14) were assigned into two groups in a prospective and single-blinded manner: group 1 (G1) (n=7), control rats; and group 2 (G2) (n=7), 5-minute EST 95% group. Cyst diameter was measured and recorded for each rat. In G2, after whole cyst fluid was aspirated the cystic cavity was irrigated with 95% ethanol, approximately equal to half of the aspirated cyst volume, after which an interval of 5 minutes was allowed and same amount was re-aspirated and the abdominal cavity was closed. One month after this procedure, abdominal cavities were reopened and intra-abdominal adhesion scoring was performed in both groups. Cyst diameter was measured for each rat, and the right ovary was removed, fixed in 10% formaldehyde, and transported to the laboratory. A histologic assessment of the ovarian tissues was performed under light microscopy following staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Mann–Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis. A P-level less than 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsIn comparison with G1, there was a statistically significant reduction in the mean ovarian cyst dimensions in G2, while there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to total number of follicles. Again, a significant increase in apoptotic activity and germinal epithelial degeneration was observed in G2 as compared to G1. The two groups were similar in terms of adhesion formation.ConclusionAlthough 95% EST results in a reduction in the size of simple ovarian cysts, this effect seems to be achieved at the expense of ovarian tissue injury.

Comparison of follicular dynamics and hormone profiles in Boer goats examined during the breeding and non-breeding seasons in the tropics of Queensland, Australia

This study aimed to describe ovarian follicular dynamics in Boer goats (n=14) during the breeding and non-breeding seasons in the tropics of Queensland. Progesterone profiles and follicular dynamics were compared over a 21-day period in the non-breeding season and one oestrous cycle in the breeding season. Between September and October, 100% of goats were in anoestrus while between April and May they were all undergoing ovulatory cycles. The number of follicular waves during a 3-week period of monitoring was greater during the non-breeding compared to the breeding season (4.8±0.1 vs 4.1±0.1, respectively; P<0.05), while the number of codominant follicles (5.6±0.3 vs 6.8±0.3, respectively; P<0.05), growth rate (0.61±0.05mm/day vs 0.81±0.05mm/day, respectively; P<0.05) and the diameter of the largest follicle measured within follicular waves (6.7±0.1mm vs 7.8±01mm, respectively; P<0.05) were less in the non-breeding compared to the breeding season. During the breeding season the interovulatory interval was 19.7±0.2 days. Total number of small follicles (2–3mm) and the total number of follicles ≥3mm from Days 2 to 14 of the period of examination were greater (P<0.05) during the non-breeding compared to the breeding season. In the breeding season, 35.7% of cycling goats showed large anovulatory follicles, which persisted and became luteinized. Ovulatory follicles were derived from the fourth follicular wave in 71% of goats. These results have described differences in characteristics of follicular development in the same Boer goats examined during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. In the non-breeding season, the ovaries remained active and follicles continued to grow to reach the equivalent size of preovulatory follicles. Follicular dynamics in the breeding season was characterized by the development of larger follicles and greater follicular growth rates. Short oestrous cycles and follicular cysts may reduce ovulation rate in Boer goats in the breeding season.