Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Department of Theriogenology

The better understanding of molecular aspect in follicular growth may be a step forward to improve the response to MOET, in order to maximize exploitation of buffalo cows during their life. Hence, the current experiments were designed. Experiment 1, aimed to (I) study the expression profile of selected genes in GC during follicular and luteal phases, (II) evaluate the correlations between GC gene expression, and steroid concentrations as estradiol (E2) & progesterone (P4) in follicular fluid (FF), and (III) to determine the effect of ovarian status on follicular population as well as follicular size frequency. At slaughterhouse, ovaries were collected in pairs from buffalo cows (n=178). Ovaries were classified into; follicular and luteal phases, where ovaries in luteal stage were subdivided into; hemorrhagic, developing, mature and albicans. Moreover, the antral follicles from luteal groups were classified only into: small (<4mm), and large (9-20 mm). Additionally, the antral follicles from follicular groups were classified into three subgroups: small (<4mm), medium (5-8 mm), and large (9-20 mm).The FF and GC were collected for steroids measurement as well as analysis gene expression, respectively. The LHCGR, and CYP19 mRNAs in small size follicles significantly (P<0.001) decreased compared to medium size follicles. However, large size follicle showed significant (P<0.001) increase in LHCGR and CYP19 genes compared to medium size follicles. Additionally, FSHR was clearly (P<0.001) decreased in large size follicles compared to medium size ones. The PCNA was significantly increased in small (P<0.001), and large (P<0.05) sizes follicles

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