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. 2022 Apr 28;12(9):1140.
doi: 10.3390/ani12091140.

Follicular Size Threshold for Ovulation Reassessed. Insights from Multiple Ovulating Dairy Cows

Fernando López-Gatius  1   2 , Mònica Llobera-Balcells  3 , Roger J Palacín-Chauri  3 , Irina Garcia-Ispierto  2   3 , Ronald H F Hunter  4   5
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Follicular Size Threshold for Ovulation Reassessed. Insights from Multiple Ovulating Dairy Cows

Fernando López-Gatius et al. Animals (Basel). .

Abstract

In Bos. taurus cattle, follicular deviation to dominance begins when the selected ovulatory follicle reaches a mean diameter of 8.5 mm. The dominant follicle acquires the capacity to ovulate when it reaches a diameter of about 10 mm. In this study, data derived from 148 cows in estrus with one follicle of ovulatory size and another of 7-9 mm, reveal that the small follicle has the capacity to ovulate alone or with the dominant follicle; thus, giving rise to a single or twin pregnancy. This indicates that a follicle of deviation size may ovulate in the presence of a follicle of ovulatory size.

Keywords: bovine; follicular size; ovulation failure; pregnancy rate; twins.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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