Effect of buffalo follicular fluid treatment on follicle population and ovulation rate in guinea pigs.

A number of workers have studied the effect of follicular fluid (FF) on the secretion of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) but little is known about its potential as a regulator of ovarian activity, including ovulation rate. This paper describes the effect of charcoal treated-buffalo follicular fluid (buFF) treatment on follicular growth and ovulation rate in guinea pigs. Eighteen guinea pigs in three groups of 6 each were given 0.2 ml buFF at 12 hr interval for 3 days at different stages of estrous cycle viz., early-luteal, mid-luteal or follicular phase. One control group received equal volume of saline. Estrus was monitored every morning and evening by inspection of the opening of vaginal membrane and its cytology. All animals were sacrificed at 24 hr after the onset of estrus. Both the ovaries were dissected out, weighed and number of ovulation points recorded. One ovary from each animal was processed for histological examination to determine the population of healthy and atretic follicles. In early-luteal and follicular phase-treated animals the onset of estrus was delayed (P < 0.01) and ovulation rate was not affected. However, estrus occurred at normal when the treatment was initiated at midluteal stage and 50% animals failed to ovulate in this group. The total follicle population at metestrus increased significantly in all treated animals because of increase in number of follicles of size class II (400 to < 600 microns diam.). Atresia was also declined due to treatment. These results demonstrated that the buFF contained some inhibitory substances that delayed the onset of estrus in guinea pigs.

Ascorbic acid in buffalo ovary in relation to oestrous cycle.

Concentration of ascorbic acid was determined in different parts of buffalo ovary at four different stages of oestrous cycle viz. early luteal, mid luteal, late luteal and follicular. The stages were decided from the physical and morphological examinations of corpora lutea. The ovary was dissected in three components viz. corpus luteum, follicular fluid and ovarian stromal tissue for ascorbic acid assay. Corpus luteum showed significant change in concentration of ascorbic acid with the advancement of oestrous cycle, value being highest in late- luteal stage. Follicular fluid and ovarian stromal tissue did not show significant changes in ascorbic acid at any stage of the oestrous cycle. Small follicles, irrespective of the stage of oestrous cycle had, however, significantly higher ascorbic acid content than large follicles.

Characteristics of proteoglycans of buffalo ovarian follicular fluid during maturation of follicles.

The proteoglycans (PGs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) of buffalo ovarian follicular fluid (FF) have been studied in small (2-4.9 mm), medium (5-9.9 mm) and large (> or = 10 mm) follicles. GAGs in different categories of follicles were isolated, assayed and analysed. On the basis of hexosamine analysis, glucosamine accounted for all the free GAGs in FF of small and medium follicles. No free GAG was found in large follicles. The concentration of GAGs in the form of PGs decreased significantly with follicular maturation. Qualitative analysis of GAGs from PGs showed higher galactosamine than glucosamine. The ratios of GalNH2:GluNH2 and neutral sugars were highest in small follicles followed by medium and large follicles. On the other hand, the percentage of sialic acid in GAGs was highest in large follicles followed by medium and small follicles. The fractionation of PGs by gel filtration indicated the presence of two types of PGs in buffalo ovarian FF. Difference in distribution of two types of PGs in small and large follicles was also noted.