Plasma steroid hormone concentrations and blood flow of the ovarian structures of the female dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) during growth, dominance, spontaneous ovulation, luteinization and regression of the follicular wave.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the ovarian follicular waves and their corresponding hormonal changes in she-camels and to elucidate blood perfusion of the ovarian structures. Three reproductively sound, non-pregnant female camels were examined daily using B-mode and color Doppler to detect changes in their ovarian structures and blood vasculature for 22 follicular waves. Blood area (BA) and percentage (BA%) were determined for the ovarian structures. Three phases of follicular development, those of growth, maturation, and regression, were observed during each follicular wave. Deviation occurred on Day 6.1±1.08. Estradiol increased from basal levels of 27.4±0.4pg/ml to peak concentrations of 134.4±47.5pg/ml as the follicle reached a diameter of 13.2mm. Peripheral progesterone concentrations remained low (<0.4ng/ml) throughout the follicular waves. The blood flow to the dominant follicles increased gradually with follicular growth. The BA and BA% reached the maximum values of 18.4±11.6mm(2) and 6.04±2.03%, respectively, when the diameter of the dominant follicle was 17.5±3.4mm. The blood flow to the corpus luteum rose markedly after ovulation to reach a maximum BA% and BA at Days 5 and 7, respectively, post ovulation. In conclusion, the follicular wave pattern in dromedaries consists of individually variable periods of growth, maturation and regression. Deviation occurs 6.1±1.08d from emergence. Transrectal color-Doppler sonography is a useful technique for noninvasive evaluation of follicular vascularity in camels during various stages of the follicular wave. It provides additional information to assess the developmental stage and activity of the ovarian structures.

Ovarian Follicular Dynamics during the Estrous Cycle in Jennies in Upper Egypt.

The objective of the current study was to describe follicular dynamics in Egyptian Jennies throughout the estrous cycle. In this experiment, 8 estrus cycles in 8 cyclic Jennies were studied from February to June using ultrasonography. The result revealed that one follicular wave per cycle was recorded throughout the studied period. Dominant follicle (DF) was firstly detected at -0.80 ± 0.84 day in Jennies. The growth rate of DF was 2.32 ± 0.18 mm/day. Left ovulations were nonsignificantly (P = .07) more than right ovulations (55.6% versus 44.6%). The CL was firstly detected at D 2.58 ± 1.2, developed in a rate of 1.19 ± 0.07 mm/day, reached a maximum diameter of 30.77 ± 1.28 mm at D 13.0 ± 0.70, and started to regress on D 17.05 ± 0.64 with a mean regression rate of 1.75 ± 0.17 mm d(-1). Results of the present study indicated that Jennies had one follicular wave per cycle. The Day of the cycle has a significant effect on the number of different classes of the ovarian follicles, but not large ones. Ultrasonographic characteristics of the preovulatory follicles could be useful to predict ovulation. CL developed and regressed in a slow rate.