Correlation of Blood Flow of the Preovulatory Follicle to its Diameter and Endocrine Profile in Dairy Buffalo

Abstract

Blood flow of the preovulatory follicle (POF) wall can be used as a predictor of the quality of POF. Our aim was to determine the correlation of blood flow of POF with the POF diameter, and intra-follicular and plasma concentrations of Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-1) and oestradiol in dairy buffalo. Nine Murrah buffalo subjected to an ovulation synchronization protocol (Ovsynch) were assessed on day 10 of the protocol for diameter and blood flow of POF, followed by the aspiration of follicle fluid. Prior to follicular aspiration, blood samples were obtained from jugular vein for estimation of IGF-1 and oestradiol. The vascularity of POF was determined (Range: 250-967 pixel(2) ) along with intra-follicular and plasma concentration of IGF-1 (Range: 9.3-31.8 ng/ml and 14.7-29.7 ng/ml respectively) and oestradiol (Range: 124.2-447.9 ng/ml and 0.25-1.05 ng/ml respectively). Diameter of the POF was weakly correlated (r = 0.21, p < 0.01) with blood flow to it. As compared to POF diameter, the blood flow of POF had greater positive correlation with intra-follicular and plasma concentrations of hormones (IGF-1 and oestradiol). A strong positive correlation was recorded between intra-follicular IGF-1 and oestradiol. Also, plasma concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone were negatively correlated In brief, assessment of the blood flow of the POF is a non-invasive and reliable indicator of its functional competence as compared to the POF diameter.

Evaluation of Double Ovsynch Protocol in Acyclic Jaffarabadi Heifers and Buffaloes with Respect to Ovarian Dynamics, Hormonal Profile and Fertility

“…This may be due to failure of assay kits used to detect actual hormone or some other unknown reasons. The values of estradiol reported by Varughese et al (2014) and Jerome et al (2016) were lower than the present findings. However, an unique peak and basal profile expected over a normal estrous cycle was not observed in the present study due to multiple injection of GnRH and PG at various intervals.…”

Relationships between follicle and corpus luteum diameter, blood flow, and progesterone production in beef cows and heifers: preliminary results

“…Recently, we did report moderate (r = 0.46 -0.58) correlations between POF diameter and blood flow, albeit without follicle categorization (de Tarso et al, 2015). Contradicting results were found in dairy buffalos (Varughese et al, 2014), where larger follicles (>16 mm) had lower follicle wall blood flow when compared with smaller follicles. The former study also obtained a weak Pearson correlation coefficient (r = 0.21) between POF diameter and blood flow using the pixel counting technique, which supports the current pixel data findings.…”

“…The positive aspects of a greater blood flow supply and the importance of the maintenance of an appropriate vasculature around the follicle have been studied during the periods of follicle selection and dominance (Acosta et al, 2005;Miura et al, 2014), and also during the preovulatory phase in different species (Brannstorm et al, 1998;Acosta et al, 2003;Gastal et al, 2006;Elsherry et al, 2010;Varughese et al, 2014). Considering that a larger follicle size is associated with a greater follicle blood flow, it is reasonable to assume that a greater blood flow around the follicle might be essential and significant in predicting follicle and oocyte fertility (Huey et al, 1999).…”

“…Other factors such as the association between larger follicle sizes and greater follicle wall blood flow has confirmed higher rates of establishment of pregnancy (Siddiqui et al, 2009a), greater rates of oocyte recovery, and higher incidence of in vitro oocyte cleavage and embryo development in dairy heifers (Siddiqui et al, 2009b). Associations between other aspects of intrafollicular hormonal environment such as the estradiol concentration on the day of AI in lactating Holstein cows (Lopes et al, 2007) and follicle blood flow with IGF-1 levels in Murrah buffaloes (Pandey et al, 2011;Varughese et al, 2014) have been reported. Therefore, despite the existence of studies correlating ovulatory follicle size and reproductive success, no associations of a greater POF wall blood flow with the increase in follicle diameter have been done comparing cows and heifers.…”

Vascular Perfusion of the Preovulatory Follicle and its Relationship in Pregnancy Establishment during Natural and Induced Estrus in Buffaloes

“…A positive correlation was noticed between the follicle size at the time of AI (SaFilho et al, 2010) and corpus luteum size (Baruselli et al, 2003) after AI with pregnancy rate in cows. Varughese et al (2014) observed that Doppler study proved to be better for accurate determination of quality of the follicle and to classify the CL as active or regressing in cows. Although, buffaloes are mainstay of the dairy industry in South and South East Asia, unlike the study in cows, little attention has been devoted in buffaloes on the haemodynamics of ovarian follicle and its relationship to serum steroid profiles and conception rate following AI at natural and induced estrus.…”