Review

Follicular Development in Cattle: Synchronization Protocols, Vasoactive Mechanisms, and Herd-Level Selection

Volume: 15 Number: 3 September 23, 2026
TR EN

Follicular Development in Cattle: Synchronization Protocols, Vasoactive Mechanisms, and Herd-Level Selection

Abstract

Reproductive efficiency in high-producing dairy herds is strongly affected by disruptions in follicular dynamics, which become particularly evident during the postpartum period. Negative energy balance, increased steroid catabolism, and suppressed luteinizing hormone (LH) pulsatility delay dominant follicle selection, postpone the first postpartum ovulation, and compromise oocyte quality. This review examines follicular wave physiology in cows based on current evidence and comparatively evaluates existing hormonal induction protocols, including GnRH-based approaches such as Ovsynch, Double-Ovsynch, and presynchronization variants, as well as progesterone-estradiol- and eCG-supported protocols. It also discusses the intraovarian sympathoadrenergic system as an emerging but as yet incompletely characterized regulatory domain, noting that preliminary in vivo evidence suggests β-adrenergic stimulation may influence utero-ovarian hemodynamics and follicular development, though the clinical relevance of these findings remains to be established. The review further considers how indicators such as body condition score, anovulation prevalence, antral follicle count, and anti-Müllerian hormone may contribute to herd-level protocol selection. Overall, the available evidence indicates that a uniform protocol-based approach may not always be sufficient for managing follicular development in dairy cows. Instead, systematic assessment of herd-specific biological variation may support more individualized protocol selection and thereby contribute to improved reproductive efficiency.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology

Journal Section

Review

Publication Date

September 23, 2026

Submission Date

April 28, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 6, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 3

APA
Aydin, Ş., & Tohumcu, V. (2026). Follicular Development in Cattle: Synchronization Protocols, Vasoactive Mechanisms, and Herd-Level Selection. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 15(3), 251-268. https://doi.org/10.31196/huvfd.1939767
AMA
1.Aydin Ş, Tohumcu V. Follicular Development in Cattle: Synchronization Protocols, Vasoactive Mechanisms, and Herd-Level Selection. Harran Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;15(3):251-268. doi:10.31196/huvfd.1939767
Chicago
Aydin, Şifanur, and Vefa Tohumcu. 2026. “Follicular Development in Cattle: Synchronization Protocols, Vasoactive Mechanisms, and Herd-Level Selection”. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 15 (3): 251-68. https://doi.org/10.31196/huvfd.1939767.
EndNote
Aydin Ş, Tohumcu V (September 1, 2026) Follicular Development in Cattle: Synchronization Protocols, Vasoactive Mechanisms, and Herd-Level Selection. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 15 3 251–268.
IEEE
[1]Ş. Aydin and V. Tohumcu, “Follicular Development in Cattle: Synchronization Protocols, Vasoactive Mechanisms, and Herd-Level Selection”, Harran Univ Vet Fak Derg, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 251–268, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.31196/huvfd.1939767.
ISNAD
Aydin, Şifanur - Tohumcu, Vefa. “Follicular Development in Cattle: Synchronization Protocols, Vasoactive Mechanisms, and Herd-Level Selection”. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 15/3 (September 1, 2026): 251-268. https://doi.org/10.31196/huvfd.1939767.
JAMA
1.Aydin Ş, Tohumcu V. Follicular Development in Cattle: Synchronization Protocols, Vasoactive Mechanisms, and Herd-Level Selection. Harran Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;15:251–268.
MLA
Aydin, Şifanur, and Vefa Tohumcu. “Follicular Development in Cattle: Synchronization Protocols, Vasoactive Mechanisms, and Herd-Level Selection”. Harran University Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, vol. 15, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 251-68, doi:10.31196/huvfd.1939767.
Vancouver
1.Şifanur Aydin, Vefa Tohumcu. Follicular Development in Cattle: Synchronization Protocols, Vasoactive Mechanisms, and Herd-Level Selection. Harran Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026 Sep. 1;15(3):251-68. doi:10.31196/huvfd.1939767