Ovarian Follicular Dynamics in Livestock Systems
Summary
Ovarian follicular dynamics encompass the cyclical recruitment, selection and dominance of follicles that underpin fertility in livestock species. Each oestrous cycle is characterised by the emergence of a cohort of antral follicles, from which a single dominant follicle—occasionally more in polyovular genotypes—is selected to ovulate while its cohorts undergo atresia. This process is orchestrated by endocrine regulators such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH), together with local paracrine factors including insulin-like growth factors and members of the transforming growth factor superfamily. Advances in transcriptomics, proteomics and mathematical modelling have begun to unravel the molecular signals guiding follicular deviation and ovulatory competence. Understanding these mechanisms has direct applications in timed artificial insemination, superovulation protocols and genetic selection for enhanced reproductive efficiency across bovine, ovine and caprine production systems.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent proteomic profiling of postpartum dairy cows with inactive ovaries has identified distinct plasma protein signatures linked to negative energy balance and follicular quiescence. Differentially expressed enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and acute-phase proteins point to an interplay between systemic metabolic status and ovarian follicle activation. These findings suggest that circulating biomarkers could be used to predict the resumption of cyclicity and inform dietary or management adjustments to improve reproductive recovery in high-yielding dairy herds.
Ovarian Follicular Dynamics in Livestock Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in ovarian follicular dynamics in livestock systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Follicular wave: Synchronous growth of a group of antral follicles during one oestrous cycle.
Follicular deviation: The process by which one follicle accelerates its growth to become dominant while others regress.
Dominant follicle: The selected follicle that attains ovulatory capacity and suppresses its cohorts.
Granulosa cells: Somatic cells surrounding the oocyte that support its development and produce steroid hormones.
Atresia: Programmed degeneration and resorption of non-dominant follicles.
References
- Landscape transcriptomic analysis of bovine follicular cells during key phases of ovarian follicular development. Biological Research (2024).
- A Mathematical Model of Estradiol Production from Ultrasound Data for Bovine Ovarian Follicles. Cells (2022).
- Plasma Protein Comparison between Dairy Cows with Inactive Ovaries and Estrus. Scientific Reports (2019).
- Mechanisms regulating follicle selection in ruminants: lessons learned from multiple ovulation models. Animal Reproduction (2018).
- The local regulation of folliculogenesis by members of the transforming growth factor superfamily and its relevance for advanced breeding programmes. Animal Reproduction (2018).
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