Ovarian follicular dynamics of five-eighths Girolando cows

The objective of this study was to examine the follicular dynamics of five-eighths Girolando cows by observing the number of follicular development waves, days of emergence of those waves, diameters of the dominant and largest subordinate follicles and the processes of follicular selection and dominance. Ovarian follicle dynamics were monitored for 24 oestrous cycles in 12 cows, of 4 to 10 years of age, presenting regular oestrous cycles and with body scores between 3 and 4. Ovaries were observed daily for two consecutive oestrous cycles and follicles were measured with ultrasonographic equipment. The dominant follicle was considered to be that which presented a diameter > or = 10 mm for three consecutive days and on the day of wave emergence, when a group of follicles measuring 3-5 mm in diameter would appear. Of the 24 cycles monitored, 62.5% presented two waves of follicular development and 37.5% presented three waves. The cycles presenting two waves had an average duration of 20 days, with the emergence of the waves on days 1 and 9, whereas the cycles presenting three waves had an average duration of 22 days, with emergences on days 1, 10 and 16. For cycles with two waves, both the first and second dominant follicles reached an average size of 13.8 mm, with the first regressing on day 10 and the second ovulating around day 20. For cycles with three waves, the dominant follicles of the first and second waves reached maximum diameters of 11.8 and 12 mm, respectively, with the first regressing on day 11 and the second regressing on day 17. The third dominant follicle reached a maximum diameter of 12.4 mm on day 20, and ovulated on day 22. These results lead to the conclusion that the follicular dynamics of five-eighths Girolando cows are characterized by the presence of two to three waves of follicular growth.