<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The knowledge about ovarian physiology in small ruminants is still limited, especially when compared to other domestic species. Ovarian function in goats is mainly assessed by ultrasonographic techniques, whereas a quali-quantitative feature of the follicular and luteal structures throughout the reproductive cycle in naturally cycling goats is scarce. This study provides a detailed description of the functional morphology and size of 742 ovarian structures (follicles, <italic>corpora hemorrhagica</italic> and <italic>corpora lutea</italic>) in relation to the oestrus phase, the body weight and the age of 25 Alpine goats (<italic>Capra hircus</italic>). The current study demonstrated that, the number and size of the follicles were related to the stage of the reproductive cycle (P &lt; 0.0001). Also, the mean number of follicles was high during both prepubertal anestrus and diestrus, whereas it was low in the oestrus. Large (3-4 mm in diameter) and very large follicles (> 4 mm) (P &lt; 0.001), and small follicles (&lt; 2 mm; P &lt; 0.05) varied throughout the reproductive cycle, while medium follicles (2-3 mm) were invariably observed. Large and very large follicles were predominant during the diestrus phase and small follicles in the prepubertal anestrus. It is evident from the current study that the number of follicles (P &lt; 0.05) was significantly affected with both body weight and age. On the other hand, the size of follicles was significantly affected with body weight only (P &lt; 0.0001). These results could contribute to a deeper understanding of ovarian transformations with important implications in assisted reproductive technologies, thereby concurring in advancing the efficiency of ultrasound in breeding programs for this species.</p></abstract>

The knowledge about ovarian physiology in small ruminants is still limited, especially when compared to other domestic species. Ovarian function in goats is mainly assessed by ultrasonographic techniques, whereas a quali-quantitative feature of the follicular and luteal structures throughout the reproductive cycle in naturally cycling goats is scarce. This study provides a detailed description of the functional morphology and size of 742 ovarian structures (follicles, corpora hemorrhagica and corpora lutea) in relation to the oestrus phase, the body weight and the age of 25 Alpine goats (Capra hircus). The current study demonstrated that, the number and size of the follicles were related to the stage of the reproductive cycle (P < 0.0001). Also, the mean number of follicles was high during both prepubertal anestrus and diestrus, whereas it was low in the oestrus. Large (3-4 mm in diameter) and very large follicles (> 4 mm) (P < 0.001), and small follicles (< 2 mm; P < 0.05) varied throughout the reproductive cycle, while medium follicles (2-3 mm) were invariably observed. Large and very large follicles were predominant during the diestrus phase and small follicles in the prepubertal anestrus. It is evident from the current study that the number of follicles (P < 0.05) was significantly affected with both body weight and age. On the other hand, the size of follicles was significantly affected with body weight only (P < 0.0001). These results could contribute to a deeper understanding of ovarian transformations with important implications in assisted reproductive technologies, thereby concurring in advancing the efficiency of ultrasound in breeding programs for this species.

Histological Feature of Ovarian Structures Throughout the Reproductive Cycle in Alpine Goats <italic>(Capra Hircus)</italic>

Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety

Laboratory of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Macedonian Veterinary Review

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Histological Feature of Ovarian Structures Throughout the Reproductive Cycle in Alpine Goats 

The knowledge about ovarian physiology in small ruminants is still limited, especially when compared to other domestic species. Ovarian function in goats is mainly assessed by ultrasonographic techniques, whereas a quali-quantitative feature of the follicular and luteal structures throughout the reproductive cycle in naturally cycling goats is scarce. This study provides a detailed description of the functional morphology and size of 742 ovarian structures (follicles, corpora hemorrhagica and corpora lutea) in relation to the oestrus phase, the body weight and the age of 25 Alpine goats (Capra hircus). The current study demonstrated that, the number and size of the follicles were related to the stage of the reproductive cycle (P  4 mm) (P < 0.001), and small follicles (< 2 mm; P < 0.05) varied throughout the reproductive cycle, while medium follicles (2-3 mm) were invariably observed. Large and very large follicles were predominant during the diestrus phase and small follicles in the prepubertal anestrus. It is evident from the current study that the number of follicles (P < 0.05) was significantly affected with both body weight and age. On the other hand, the size of follicles was significantly affected with body weight only (P < 0.0001). These results could contribute to a deeper understanding of ovarian transformations with important implications in assisted reproductive technologies, thereby concurring in advancing the efficiency of ultrasound in breeding programs for this species.

The knowledge about ovarian physiology in small ruminants is still limited, especially when compared to other domestic species. Ovarian function in goats is...

Histological Feature of Ovarian Structures Throughout the Reproductive Cycle in Alpine Goats (Capra Hircus)

Published Online: Mar 28, 2019

Page range: 23 - 34

Received: Feb 04, 2018

Accepted: Aug 27, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2018-0027

Keywords
goat, ovary, histology, reproductive cycle

© 2018 Debora Groppetti et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Histological Feature of Ovarian Structures Throughout the Reproductive Cycle in Alpine Goats (Capra Hircus)

Published Online: Mar 28, 2019

Page range: 23 - 34

Received: Feb 04, 2018

Accepted: Aug 27, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2018-0027

Keywordsgoat, ovary, histology, reproductive cycle

© 2018 Debora Groppetti et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
goat, ovary, histology, reproductive cycle