title: Follicle dynamics and aromatase activity in high-ovulating Meishan sows and in Large-White hybrid contemporaries.
abstract: This study compared the dynamics of follicle development during the follicular phase in Meishan sows (n = 10) with a high ovulation rate, with those in contemporary Large-White hybrid sows (n = 12) (ovulation rates: 27.7 and 17.6, respectively; p < 0.01). Ovaries were recovered on Day 16 or 19 of the cycle, and all follicles > or = 1 mm in diameter were dissected. Fluid was aspirated from all those > or = 2 mm, and the granulosa and theca cells were incubated to estimate aromatase activity and estradiol production. The total number of follicles dissected was higher in Meishan than in Large-White hybrid animals (p < 0.001), and whereas the number decreased (p < 0.01) between Days 16 and 19 in Large-White hybrid sows, there was no significant change in Meishan animals. The mean diameter of Meishan follicles recovered on each of Days 16 and 19 was smaller (p < 0.001) than that of those recovered from Large-White hybrids. Total estradiol production in vitro was higher (p < 0.01) by follicles > or = 2 mm from Meishan sows. There was an interaction (p < 0.01) between day of the cycle, breed, and follicle diameter in aromatase activity in both granulosa cells and theca tissue, and in follicular fluid estradiol concentrations in follicles > or = 2-< 6 mm. The largest three size categories of follicles recovered on Day 19 from each breed were classified as preovulatory (29.0 and 17.7 for Meishan and Large-White hybrid, respectively), and the mean diameter was smaller (p < 0.001) in Meishan animals. Follicular fluid estradiol concentrations and total estradiol synthesis by granulosa and theca combined were higher (p < 0.05) in Meishan than in Large-White hybrid sows. In conclusion, high-ovulating Meishans maintained a higher number of follicles during the follicular phase, which overall synthesized more estradiol in vitro, than did Large-White hybrid animals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Environmental Science, Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Picton
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Craigon
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001141:Aromatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002452:Cell Count; D004958:Estradiol / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol; D001141:Aromatase