EFFECT OF FOLLICULAR DIAMETER ON THE QUALITY OF OOCYTE OBTAINED FROM OVARIES OF SHEEPS (Ovis aries) AND GOATS (Capra hircus)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of follicular diameter on the quality of oocytes from ovaries of female sheep and goats. The ovaries of sheep (156 units) and goats (105 units) from slaughterhouse were used. The follicles were measured, aspirated and divided into three classes of follicular diameter: class 1 (CI) – 2 to 3 mm, class 2 (CII) – 4 to 5 mm and class 3 (CIII) – 6 mm. The recovered oocytes were evaluated and classified according to morphological aspect in 5 quality groups: grade 1 (GI), grade 2 (GII), grade 3 (GIII), naked (N) and atresia (A). Of the 468 follicles aspirated from sheep, 327 CI, 84 CII, CIII 57 and 83 GI, 78 GII, GIII 95, 119 N, 93 A were found, and from the 422 follicles aspirated from goats 197 CI, 132 CII, 92 CIII  and 64 GI, 70 GII, 91 GIII, 123 N, 74 A were found. The data did not show significant correlation between quality of oocytes and diameter of follicles (P > 0.05). Under the conditions observed in this study it was concluded that the follicular diameter has no influence on the quality of cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) recovered from the ovaries of female sheep and goats.

KEYWORDS: Aspirated follicle, cumulus cells, oocyte quality.