Circulating gonadotropins levels and contribution of different large antral follicles to isofolliculia in sheep

The aim of this study was first to search for isofolliculia in right and left ovaries during postnatal development of Ouled Djellel ewe lambs, a non-seasonal breed of sheep. In addition, the contribution of different sizes of large antral follicles to this phenomenon was studied, and finally the variations in both plasma FSH and LH levels during this period of life were determined. Plasma was collected from groups of four ewe lambs at 0 (<24 h), 1 week, and every 2 weeks from 4 to 14 weeks of age. Thereafter, each group was slaughtered, right and left ovaries recovered, weighed and their length and width measured. One ovary was fixed in Bouin–Holland's solution and prepared for histological study. The other one was immediately frozen and cut in a cryostat and prepared for histochemical study. This latter method was used to detect the activity of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, NADH₂-tetrasolium reductase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzymes. Number and size of antral follicles and their contribution to isofolliculia were determined from ovarian sections of both studies. Isofolliculia was seen in right and left ovaries of Ouled Djellel ewe lambs at 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks of age. This phenomenon was characterized by the presence of large antral follicles almost equal in size and total enzymatic inactivity in the interstitium. Weight and dimensions of right and left ovaries increased rapidly from birth to 4 weeks of age, and then rose gradually to week 8 and then rising again to week 10, followed by a decline at 12 and 14 weeks of age. All large antral follicles contributed to isofolliculia in right and left ovaries but, the percentage of antral follicles <2 mm at 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks of age were significantly greater than the percentage of follicles ≥2 and <3 mm and the contribution of follicles ≥3 mm was the lowest. FSH levels increased slowly from birth to 6 weeks of age then, increased rapidly to week 10, followed by a decline at weeks 12 and 14. LH was low at birth and the level increased slowly to 8 weeks of age, followed by a further rapid increase at 10 weeks of age. All parameters studied did not show any significant differences between the right and left ovary. It was concluded that isofolliculia occurred between 4 and 10 weeks of age in left and right ovaries of Ouled Djellel ewe lambs. This phenomenon was characterized by the increase of both ovarian weights and dimensions, and of plasma FSH and LH levels. All large antral follicles ≥1 mm in diameter contributed to isofolliculia but the contribution of antral follicles <2 mm was greater than the contribution of antral follicles ≥2.