Growth and replacement of the ovarian follicles during the estrous cycle in philippine water buffaloes

Abstract

Six normally cycling Philippine buffaloes were selected from a herd after showing normal estrous cycle length. Follicular development was monitored using a simple fiberscope. This procedure allowed the chance to follow the pattern of growth and the population of the surface follicles at specified days (3,6,9,12,15,18 and 21) of the estrous cycle. The following endpoints were used for each ovary: diameter of surface follicles and population of the various sized follicles. The follicles were classified into small-sized follicles (1-3mm), medium-sized follicles (4-7mm) and large sized follicles (>8mm). The results of the growth and replacement of follicles showed that the mean number of small - sized follicles (1-3mm) was greater (P<.01) on days 3,9,12,15,18 and 21. The medium-sized follicles (4-7mm) were greater in number on days 12,15,18 and 21 while the large sized follicles (8mm) were observed to be different (P<.01) on days 15,18 and 21.