Biomaterial Database

Morphological and functional characteristics of preovulatory follicles in large white and Meishan gilts. 1994

B R Downey, and M A Draincourt

Station de Physiologie de la Reproduction, INRA, Nouzilly, France.

Research was conducted to determine whether there are preovulatory follicular characteristics unique to Chinese Meishan (MS) sows that may contribute to their high prolificacy compared to that of European breeds. Follicles were recovered during the late follicular phase, following altrenogest withdrawal, from the ovaries of MS and Large White (LW) gilts before and after the administration of hCG given to mimic the LH surge. Following incubation of whole follicles for 1 h in vitro, media were collected for measurement of estradiol-17 beta, testosterone, and progesterone concentrations, and follicles were either fixed to assess number of granulosa and theca interna cells or cut into explants to test for aromatase activity over an additional 24-h incubation period. In MS gilts, follicles were smaller before and after hCG, although their growth was greater after hCG than was the growth of LW follicles. The LW and MS follicles contained relatively similar numbers of theca interna cells, whereas the numbers of granulosa cells in MS follicles were marginally (before hCG) or significantly (after hCG) less than those found in LW follicles. Before hCG, follicles of comparable size from both breeds produced similar amounts of estradiol and progesterone, whereas MS follicles produced less (P < .05) testosterone. Aromatase activity was not stimulated by FSH in either case, although a breed x follicle size interaction (P < .05) indicated a different pattern of aromatase activity between the breeds. After hCG, testosterone production was similar in MS and LW follicles, but estradiol (P < .05) and progesterone (P < .01) production were greater in MS follicles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011374	Progesterone	The major progestational steroid that is secreted primarily by the CORPUS LUTEUM and the PLACENTA. Progesterone acts on the UTERUS, the MAMMARY GLANDS and the BRAIN. It is required in EMBRYO IMPLANTATION; PREGNANCY maintenance, and the development of mammary tissue for MILK production. Progesterone, converted from PREGNENOLONE, also serves as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of GONADAL STEROID HORMONES and adrenal CORTICOSTEROIDS.	Pregnenedione,Progesterone, (13 alpha,17 alpha)-(+-)-Isomer,Progesterone, (17 alpha)-Isomer,Progesterone, (9 beta,10 alpha)-Isomer
D001947	Breeding	The production of offspring by selective mating or HYBRIDIZATION, GENETIC in animals or plants.	Breedings
D002452	Cell Count	The number of CELLS of a specific kind, usually measured per unit volume or area of sample.	Cell Density,Cell Number,Cell Counts,Cell Densities,Cell Numbers,Count, Cell,Counts, Cell,Densities, Cell,Density, Cell,Number, Cell,Numbers, Cell
D004958	Estradiol	The 17-beta-isomer of estradiol, an aromatized C18 steroid with hydroxyl group at 3-beta- and 17-beta-position. Estradiol-17-beta is the most potent form of mammalian estrogenic steroids.	17 beta-Estradiol,Estradiol-17 beta,Oestradiol,17 beta-Oestradiol,Aerodiol,Delestrogen,Estrace,Estraderm TTS,Estradiol Anhydrous,Estradiol Hemihydrate,Estradiol Hemihydrate, (17 alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol Monohydrate,Estradiol Valerate,Estradiol Valeriante,Estradiol, (+-)-Isomer,Estradiol, (-)-Isomer,Estradiol, (16 alpha,17 alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol, (16 alpha,17 beta)-Isomer,Estradiol, (17-alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol, (8 alpha,17 beta)-(+-)-Isomer,Estradiol, (8 alpha,17 beta)-Isomer,Estradiol, (9 beta,17 alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol, (9 beta,17 beta)-Isomer,Estradiol, Monosodium Salt,Estradiol, Sodium Salt,Estradiol-17 alpha,Estradiol-17beta,Ovocyclin,Progynon-Depot,Progynova,Vivelle,17 beta Estradiol,17 beta Oestradiol,Estradiol 17 alpha,Estradiol 17 beta,Estradiol 17beta,Progynon Depot
D005260	Female		Females
D005498	Follicular Phase	The period of the MENSTRUAL CYCLE representing follicular growth, increase in ovarian estrogen (ESTROGENS) production, and epithelial proliferation of the ENDOMETRIUM. Follicular phase begins with the onset of MENSTRUATION and ends with OVULATION.	Menstrual Cycle, Follicular Phase,Menstrual Cycle, Proliferative Phase,Menstrual Proliferative Phase,Preovulatory Phase,Phase, Follicular,Phase, Menstrual Proliferative,Phase, Preovulatory,Proliferative Phase, Menstrual
D005640	Follicle Stimulating Hormone	A major gonadotropin secreted by the adenohypophysis (PITUITARY GLAND, ANTERIOR). Follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates GAMETOGENESIS and the supporting cells such as the ovarian GRANULOSA CELLS, the testicular SERTOLI CELLS, and LEYDIG CELLS. FSH consists of two noncovalently linked subunits, alpha and beta. Within a species, the alpha subunit is common in the three pituitary glycoprotein hormones (TSH, LH, and FSH), but the beta subunit is unique and confers its biological specificity.	FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone),Follicle-Stimulating Hormone,Follitropin
D006080	Ovarian Follicle	An OOCYTE-containing structure in the cortex of the OVARY. The oocyte is enclosed by a layer of GRANULOSA CELLS providing a nourishing microenvironment (FOLLICULAR FLUID). The number and size of follicles vary depending on the age and reproductive state of the female. The growing follicles are divided into five stages: primary, secondary, tertiary, Graafian, and atretic. Follicular growth and steroidogenesis depend on the presence of GONADOTROPINS.	Graafian Follicle,Atretic Follicle,Ovarian Follicles,Atretic Follicles,Follicle, Atretic,Follicle, Graafian,Follicle, Ovarian,Follicles, Atretic,Follicles, Graafian,Follicles, Ovarian,Graafian Follicles
D006107	Granulosa Cells	Supporting cells for the developing female gamete in the OVARY. They are derived from the coelomic epithelial cells of the gonadal ridge. Granulosa cells form a single layer around the OOCYTE in the primordial ovarian follicle and advance to form a multilayered cumulus oophorus surrounding the OVUM in the Graafian follicle. The major functions of granulosa cells include the production of steroids and LH receptors (RECEPTORS, LH).	Cell, Granulosa,Cells, Granulosa,Granulosa Cell
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia