Follicular morphology, oocyte diameter and localisation of fibroblast growth factors in the domestic XXXX ovary.

@entity235 @entity1710 @entity72385 @entity24976
Remarkably little is known about folliculogenesis in the @entity235 . Objectives were to characterise (1) changes in follicle/oocyte diameter and granulosa cell number and (2) localisation of @entity24976 and @entity72385 during @entity235 ovarian follicle development. Fourteen ovarian pairs were excised and processed for histological evaluation. Two to four serial sections/bitch were stained with @entity1710 , and follicle/oocyte diameters and granulosa cell number were determined at each developmental stage. Mean follicle and oocyte size were compared among stages by one-way analysis of variance. Relationships between follicle and oocyte size and granulosa cell number were determined using correlation and regression analysis, respectively. Another eight serial sections/bitch were processed for immunostaining to determine @entity24976 and @entity72385 localisation. Primordial and primary follicles were similar in size, but smaller than the progressively increasing (p < 0.05) diameter of the later stages. Oocyte diameter gradually increased (p < 0.05) among oocytes derived from primordial, primary, secondary and early antral follicles with no difference (p > 0.05) thereafter. Oocyte size and granulosa cell number increased (p < 0.01) with follicular diameter. Except during anoestrus, @entity24976 occurred in oocytes and granulosa cells of primordial to secondary follicles. In adult bitches, @entity72385 was localised in granulosa cells of primary and secondary follicles and also occurred in the theca layer of antral follicles during prooestrus and oestrus. In summary, folliculogenesis in the domestic @entity235 occurs in two phases: pre-antral phase characterised by increasing follicle size in association with oocyte growth and granulosa cell proliferation and antral phase linked with marked granulosa cell proliferation and accumulation of antral cavity fluid. Finally, the temporal localisation pattern of @entity24976 implies its role in follicular activation, whereas @entity72385 activities appear related to later folliculogenesis.
