RELATIONSHIP OF BIOCHEMICAL CONSTITUTES OF FOLLICULAR FLUID, HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OVARIES AND IN VITRO MATURATION OF OOCYTES IN BUFFALO COWS DURING DIFFERENT STAGES OF ESTROUS CYCLE

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Hormone Lab., Biochemical Department, Animal Health Research Institute.

2 Clinical Pathology Unit, Pathology Department, Animal Health Research Institute.

Abstract

Forty six of buffalo ovaries were collected from slaughter houses. Predicting stages of estrous cycle Were identifiable according to the cyclic changes of the corpus luteum (Stage I, day 1-4; stage II, day 5-10; stage III, day 11-17; stage IV, day 18-21 of the estrous cycle). Oocytes recovered from different stages were classified according to their, as good quality (compact and partially com- pact cumulus), and poor quality (expanded, denuded and degenerated) oocytes. Good quality oocytes were in-vitro cultured to study the influence of different stages of estrous cycle on in-vitro maturation of oocytes. Histopathological studies of right and left ovaries from different stages were performed to investigate the growth and atresia of follicles that aid in understanding the complexity of events associated with maturation of buffalo follicle and oocytes. Moreover, follicular fluids were collected and analyzed for intra-follicular Hormonal and biochemical constituents. Stage III provided the highest rate of good quality oocytes that resumed meiosis to metaphase II. Histopathological findings revealed atrestic follicles and degeneration of granulose cells at different stages of the estrous cycle. Follicular progesterone and estradiol levels and their ratio (P: E) were significantly peaked (P < 0.01) during stage III (day 11-17), while testosterone started to in- crease at stage IV and reached its maximum at stage I of the cycle. Total protein, albumin, globulin, triglycerides, sodium, potassium, calcium and inorganic phosphorus were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in follicular fluid during stage III. On the other hand, the lowest levels of total lipids. Cholesterol, creatinine, urea and transaminase enzyme (AST & ALT) were observed at stage III.

Main Subjects