Ovarian Function and Antral Follicular Development in Livestock Reproduction
A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 December 2023) | Viewed by 8789
Special Issue Editors
Interests: livestock reproduction; hormonal control of ovarian function; reproductive processes
Interests: ruminant reproduction; follicular dynamics; estrus synchronization; superovulation
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Studies conducted mainly in the 1990’s documented the pattern of ovarian follicular development in several livestock species. The temporal relationships among developing antral follicles were examined using serial transrectal ultrasonography. Those were the first reports of a wave-like pattern of ovarian follicular kinetics in females of mammalian species, and the results provided direct evidence that the conceptual model assumed for ovarian function had been incorrect. Contrary to traditional knowledge, females exhibit more than one follicular wave during their interovulatory period; a wave of follicular development refers to the simultaneous emergence of a cohort of antral follicles that continue to grow to ostensibly ovulatory diameters before regression or ovulation. Recurrent follicular waves emerge throughout the luteal phase of the estrous cycle; previously, antral follicular growth was believed to occur at random or as a single bevy of follicles which mature just before ovulation. In addition, the incidences and proposed putative mechanisms of abnormal follicular development, failure of ovulation, and inadequate luteal function have been described. These abnormalities may contribute to suboptimal fertility; however, their etiology is not completely understood. The application of transrectal ultrasonography for monitoring ovarian dynamics paved the way for extensive studies on the endocrine control of ovarian function. Moreover, ultrasound imaging combined with computer-assisted analysis of ultrasonograms is a promising tool for determining and predicting various aspects of ovarian physiology; however, their applications have not been fully explored or utilized yet. In the 2000’s and 2010’s, an array of imaging modalities including, but not limited to, color and spectral Doppler ultrasonography have been added to the repertoire of ovarian monitoring techniques. This field of research still holds legitimate potential for advancing our knowledge of animal reproduction and reproductive biotechnologies; hence, it deserves to become a subject of reinvigorated attention.
Prof. Dr. Paweł Mieczyslaw Bartlewski
Dr. Maria Emilia Franco Oliveira
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- ovary
- antral follicles
- corpus luteum
- ovulation
- ultrasonography
- estrous cycle
- endocrine control
- controlled animal breeding
- ultrasound image analysis
- superovulation
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