Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Department of Animal Physiology

Hot seasons are involved in the control of ovarian functions. This thesis aimed to study the influence of season on ovarian and physiological parameters mediating fertility in buffalo and cattle. This study was conducted on 400 buffaloes and 128 cattle slaughtered at Al-Warak slaughterhouse, Egypt over one year. The obtained results shown an increase in the incidence of smooth inactive ovaries than cyclic one in hot season than the cold season. The number of the follicles was increased in late luteal and estrus stages than in early and mid-luteal stages. The oocyte numbers and quality were increased in cold season than hot season. Maturation rate was increased in cold season than hot season. Estrogen, progesterone, anti mullerian hormone (AMH) and thyroid hormones were decreased in hot than cold season. There is a positive correlation between AMH level and the percentage of antral follicles in buffalo and cattle, and this first trial in Egypt made to isolate the preantral follicles from buffaloes and cattle ovaries by the mechanical or enzymatic methods, and their percentage decreased in hot season than cold season. Also, the number of preantral was higher in cattle than buffalo ovaries. In conclusion, the current study threw the light on the effect of season on ovarian functions in buffalo and cattle which may be of value in understanding their role in reducing the fertility cases in the hot season and help in improvement of fertility in buffalo and cattle through the application of assisted reproductive technologies and advanced management systems. Such as AMH can predict the number of the antral follicles and expected the fertility in buffalo and cattle

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