Changes of follicular fluid composition in relation to dietary urea level and follicle size during follicular and luteal phases in Saidi Ewes Mohammed Abd El-Nasser A.1,*, El-Hafiz Galal A. Abd1, Ziyadah Hamid M.2 1Department of Animal Production and Poultry, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Egypt 2Department of Biology, Faculty of Education and Science, Aden University, Yemen *Corresponding author: elnasser@aun.edu.eg
Online published on 22 December, 2011. Abstract The aim of this study was to explore follicular fluid composition in relation to dietary urea level and follicle size during follicular and luteal phase in ewes. Eighteen clinically and healthy ewes were adapted to urea feeding (initial body weight 33.81±2.17 kg and about 4 years old). Animals were randomly assigned to three groups; the control group was given basal control diet which met energy requirements for body weight maintenance and the other two groups were fed on basal diet supplemented with 1% or 1.5% urea on dry matter (DM) basis. The duration of this study was lasted for 3.5 months. The estrous cycles of the ewes were synchronized using two injections of prostaglandin (PGF2?) (10 days apart). In each group, three animals were slaughtered 40 h after the second injection of PGF2á (follicular phase) whereas the remaining three animals were slaughtered 10 days after the second injection of PGF2á (luteal phase). Upon slaughtering, ovaries were collected. Stage of estrus and number of follicles were recorded. Follicles were categorized according to diameter into three classes; <2, 2–4 and >4 mm. Follicles (2–4 and >4 mm) were aspirated for follicular fluid collection. Follicular fluid samples were analyzed for determination of total protein, albumin, urea, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus concentrations. The results indicated that concentrations of follicular fluid metabolites and ions were changed in relation to dietary urea level and follicle size during follicular and luteal phases. Such changes in follicular fluid composition might explain differences in oocyte developmental competence due to dietary urea level and follicle size in ewes. Top Keywords follicular fluid, metabolites, ions, estrous stage. Top |