Ovarian follicle population inthe Peul ewe

Abstract

The number of growing ovarian follicles as well as their distribution according to their size were studied in 4s bicolour Peul ewes. The average number of the total growing follicles for each ovary was 254,5 ± 62,9. The average numbers of normal, antral and atretic follicles for each ovary were 244,5 ± 63, 51,5 ± 9,9 and 10 ± 3,3,respectively. The distribution of growing follicles was trimodal i.e. the first mode included follicles with a diameter between 0.05 and 0.13 mm ; the second mode included follicles with a diameter between 0,13 and 0,45 mm ; the third mode included follicles with a diameter between 0,45 and 5,8 mm. The minimal sizes of follicles from which the antrum and atresia appeared were 0,13 and 0,31 mm, respectively. These results show that there is a similitude between the structure of Peul ewe ovary and that of other known ewe breeds. Moreover it is suggested that the growth and renewal of ovarian follicles follow the same regulation patterns, irrespectively of climate and ewe breed.