Hormonal and metabolic effects on antral follicle count in dairy cows

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between antral follicle count (AFC) and hormonal profiles as well as metabolic status in dairy cows. A total of 32 Holstein cows aged between 2 and 4 years and in their 60th day of lactation were included. Based on ultrasonographic evaluations, the cows were divided into two groups according to their AFC: low AFC (<24) and high AFC (≥24). Following ovulation synchronization, follicular development was monitored on the day of ovulation (Day 0) and subsequently on Days 3, 6, and 9. Blood samples collected on these days were analyzed for serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and cholesterol (CHOL) levels. The results showed no significant differences in AMH levels between the low and high AFC groups during the study period (P > 0.05). However, E2 levels on Day 9 were significantly higher in the low AFC group compared to the high AFC group (P = 0.004). Additionally, P4 levels were significantly higher in the low AFC group on Days 0, 6, and 9 (P < 0.05). In contrast, BHBA levels were significantly elevated in the high AFC group across all time points (P < 0.05). Cholesterol levels were consistently higher in the low AFC group throughout the study (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the findings suggest that AFC has a significant effect on hormonal profiles and energy metabolism in dairy cows. Particularly, the elevated steroid hormone levels observed in the low AFC group may reflect a compensatory mechanism to sustain reproductive function in conditions of limited follicular reserve.

Keywords

• Anti-Müllerian hormone
• Antral follicle count
• Dairy cows
• Energy metabolism
• Hormone profile
• Metabolic parameters

Sütçü İneklerde Antral Folikül Sayısının Hormonal ve Metabolik Etkileri

Abstract

Bu çalışma, süt ineklerinde antral folikül sayısı (AFC) ile hormonal profiller ve metabolik durum arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmayı amaçlamıştır. Çalışmaya, 2 ile 4 yaşları arasında ve laktasyonun 60. gününde bulunan toplam 32 Holstein ineği dahil edilmiştir. Ultrasonografik değerlendirmelere göre inekler, AFC değerlerine göre düşük AFC (<24) ve yüksek AFC (≥24) olmak üzere iki gruba ayrılmıştır. Ovulasyon senkronizasyonunun ardından foliküler gelişim, ovulasyon günü (Gün 0) ve ardından 3., 6. ve 9. günlerde takip edilmiştir. Bu günlerde alınan kan örneklerinde serum anti-Müllerian hormonu (AMH), östradiol (E2), progesteron (P4), beta-hidroksibutirat (BHBA) ve kolesterol (CHOL) seviyeleri analiz edilmiştir. Sonuçlar, çalışma süresi boyunca düşük ve yüksek AFC grupları arasında AMH seviyelerinde anlamlı bir fark bulunmadığını göstermiştir (P > 0.05). Ancak, 9. günde E2 seviyeleri düşük AFC grubunda, yüksek AFC grubuna kıyasla anlamlı derecede daha yüksek saptanmıştır (P = 0.004). Buna ek olarak, 0., 6. ve 9. günlerde düşük AFC grubunda P4 seviyeleri anlamlı derecede daha yüksek bulunmuştur (P < 0.05). Buna karşılık, tüm zaman noktalarında yüksek AFC grubunda BHBA seviyeleri istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düzeyde daha yüksek tespit edilmiştir (P < 0.05). Kolesterol seviyeleri ise çalışma boyunca düşük AFC grubunda tutarlı bir şekilde daha yüksek bulunmuştur (P < 0.05). Sonuç olarak, elde edilen bulgular AFC’nin süt ineklerinde hormonal profiller ve enerji metabolizması üzerinde önemli bir etkisi olduğunu göstermektedir. Özellikle düşük AFC grubunda gözlemlenen artmış steroid hormon seviyeleri, sınırlı foliküler rezerv koşullarında üreme fonksiyonunun sürdürülebilmesi için bir telafi mekanizmasını yansıtıyor olabilir.

Keywords

• Anti-Müllerian hormon
• Antral folikül sayısı
• Enerji metabolizması
• Hormon profili
• Metabolik parametreler
• Süt inekleri

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