Antral follicular count does not correlate with ovarian preantral follicular reserve in adult buffalo, Nelore, and crossbreed cattle
Abstract
Aim of study: To investigate the correlation between antral and preantral ovarian follicular populations in adult cattle, given the discrepant previous reports, and to evaluate this correlation for the first time in buffalo.
Area of study: Amazon region, North of Brazil.
Material and methods: Ovaries of non-pregnant, adult, cycling, Bubalus bubalis (n=10), Bos indicus (Nelore; n=10), and Bos indicus × Bos taurus (Nelore × Angus crossbreed; n=10) were collected at the slaughterhouse, measured, and weighed. Antral follicles were counted (AFC), and the preantral population was estimated by histology. The correlation between ACF and preantral population was analyzed within each animal group, before and after categorizing females as low or high AFC.
Main results: Nelore and crossbreed presented similar ovarian morphometry results (p>0.05), while buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) had the smallest and lightest ovaries (p<0.05). Nelore showed the highest AFC (p<0.05) with buffalo and crossbreed showing similar results (p>0.05). Nelore and buffalo ovaries had similar (p>0.05) amounts of preantral follicles, while crossbreed ovaries had the largest population (p<0.05). A strong indivi-dual variation in the preantral follicular population was observed, and no correlation was observed between AFC and preantral population in any animal group, even after categorizing females as low or high AFC.
Research highlights: In cattle, this study brings more evidence about the non-existence of a correlation between AFC and preantral follicular population, and, in buffalo, this is the first report in the literature eva-luating this correlation. These results add to the debate on the use of AFC as a selection method for female reproduction.
Downloads
References
Alward KJ, Cockrum RR, Ealy AD, 2023. Associations of antral follicle count with fertility in cattle: A review. JDS Comm, 4. https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2022-0283
Baruselli PS, Carvalho JGS, Elliff FM, Silva JCB, Chello D, Carvalho NAT, 2020. Embryo transfer in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Theriogenology, 150, pp: 221–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.01.037
Carvalho JBP, Carvalho NAT, Reis EL, Nichi M, Souza AH, Baruselli PS, 2008. Effect of early luteolysis in progesterone-based timed AI protocols in Bos indicus, Bos indicus × Bos taurus, and Bos taurus heifers. Theriogenology, 69, pp: 167–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.08.035
Carvalho NAT, Gimenes LU, Reis EL, Cavalcante AKS, Mello JE, Nichi M, Nicacio AC, Nasser LFT, Rezende LFC, Wisnesck CA, Moura CEB, Benedicto HB, Bombonato PP, Baruselli PS, 2010. Biometry of genital system from buffalo (Murrah) and bovine (Nelore) females. Revista Veter, 21.
Cushman RA, Soares ÉM, Yake HK, Patterson AL, Rosasco SL, Beard JK, Northrop EJ, Rich JJJ, Miles JR, Chase CC, Gonda MG, Perry GA, McNeel AK, Summers AF, 2019. Brangus cows have ovarian reserve parameters more like Brahman than Angus cows. Anim Repro Sci, 209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.106170
De Vasconcelos GL, MacUlan R, Da Cunha EV, Silva AWB, Batista ALS, Donato MAM, Peixoto CA, Silva JRV, De Souza JC, 2020. Antral follicular count and its relationship with ovarian volume, preantral follicle population and survival, oocyte meiotic progression and ultrastructure of in vitro matured bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes. Zygote, 28(6). https://doi.org/10.1017/S0967199420000386
Dobson H & Kamonpatana M, 1986. A review of female cattle reproduction with special reference to a comparison between buffaloes, cows and zebu. J Reprod Fertil, 77. https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0770001
Gougeon A & Chainy GBN, 1987. Morphometric studies of small follicles in ovaries of women at different ages. J Reprod Fertil, 81. https://doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0810433
Ireland JLH, Scheetz D, Jimenez-Krassel F, Themmen APN, Ward F, Lonergan P, Smith GW, Perez GI, Evans ACO, Ireland JJ, 2008. Antral follicle count reliably predicts number of morphologically healthy oocytes and follicles in ovaries of young adult cattle. Biol Reprod, 79. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.108.071670
Mondadori RG, Santin TR, Fidelis AAG, Porfírio EP, Báo SN, 2010. Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) pre-antral follicle population and ultrastructural characterization of antral follicle oocyte. Reprod Domes Anim, 45. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01199.x
Monniaux D, Clément F, Dalbiès-Tran R, Estienne A, Fabre S, Mansanet C, Monget P, 2014. The ovarian reserve of primordial follicles and the dynamic reserve of antral growing follicles: What is the link? Biol Reprod, 90(4). https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.113.117077
Mossa F, Walsh SW, Butler ST, Berry DP, Carter F, Lonergan P, Smith GW, Ireland JJ, Evans ACO, 2012. Low numbers of ovarian follicles ≥3 mm in diameter are associated with low fertility in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci, 95. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2011-4325
Rico C, Drouilhet L, Salvetti P, Dalbiès-Tran R, Jarrier P, Touzé J-L, Pillet E, Ponsart C, Fabre S, Monniaux D, 2012. Determination of anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations in blood as a tool to select Holstein donor cows for embryo production: from the laboratory to the farm. Reprod Fertil Dev, 24. https://doi.org/10.1071/RD11290
Santos SSD, Ferreira MAP, Lima MYS, Sampaio RV, Cordeiro MS, Silva TVG, Costa NN, Miranda MS, Ohashi OM, 2011. Quantification, Morphology and Ultrastructure of Preantral Follicles of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Foetuses. Reprod Domes Anim, 46. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01616.x
Silva-Santos KC, Santos GMG, Siloto LS, Hertel MF, Andrade ER, Rubin MIB, Sturion L, Melo-Sterza FA, Seneda MM, 2011. Estimate of the population of preantral follicles in the ovaries of Bos taurus indicus and Bos taurus taurus cattle. Theriogenology, 76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.05.008
Silva-Santos KC, Santos GMG, Siloto LS, Santos JT, Oliveira ER, Machado FZ, Rosa CO, Seneda MM, 2014a. The correlation between the number of antral follicles and ovarian reserves (preantral follicles) in purebred Bos indicus and Bos taurus cows. Anim Repro Sci, 151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.10.016
Silva-Santos KC, Siloto LS, Santos GMG, Morotti F, Marcantonio TN, Seneda MM, 2014b. Comparison of antral and preantral ovarian follicle populations between Bos indicus and Bos indicus-taurus cows with high or low antral follicles counts. Reprod Domes Anim, 49. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.12222
Viana J, 2020. 2019 Statistics of embryo production and transfer in domestic farm animals. Embryo Tech Newsletter, 38.
Zangirolamo AF, Morotti F, Da Silva NC, Sanches TK, Seneda MM, 2018. Ovarian antral follicle populations and embryo production in cattle. Anim Reprod, 15. https://doi.org/10.21451/1984-3143-AR2018-0072
Copyright (c) 2025 Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
© CSIC. Manuscripts published in both the print and online versions of this journal are the property of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, and quoting this source is a requirement for any partial or full reproduction.
All contents of this electronic edition, except where otherwise noted, are distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence. You may read the basic information and the legal text of the licence. The indication of the CC BY 4.0 licence must be expressly stated in this way when necessary.
Self-archiving in repositories, personal webpages or similar, of any version other than the final version of the work produced by the publisher, is not allowed.
