Pfeifer, Luiz Francisco Machado;
Oliveira Júnior, Jair Sábio De;
Seneda, Marcelo Marcondes;
Camargo, Higor Souza De;
Morotti, Fábio;
Andrade, Evelyn Rabelo;
Moreira, Elizângela Mirian;
Andrade, Jéssica Souza;
Silva, George Moreira Da;
Porto, Marlos Oliveira;
Cavali, Jucilene;
Abstract The objective of this work was to investigate whether puberty and parturition alter the antral follicle count (AFC) in female Nelore (Bos indicus) beef cattle. Two experiments were carried out to compare AFC between the prepubertal and pubertal periods and between the prepubertal and postpartum periods. AFC and follicle concentrations did not differ between the prepubertal and pubertal periods. However, the ovarian area increased after puberty. In addition, AFC and the ovarian area were greater in the postpartum than in the prepubertal period. Therefore, AFC is not affected by the puberty of Nelore heifers, but increases significantly when the prepubertal heifers become cows.
Abstract The objective of this work was to investigate whether puberty and parturition alter the antral follicle count (AFC) in female Nelore (Bos indicus) beef cattle. Two experiments were carried out to compare AFC between the prepubertal and pubertal periods and between the prepubertal and postpartum periods. AFC and follicle concentrations did not differ between the prepubertal and pubertal periods. However, the ovarian area increased after puberty. In addition, AFC and the ovarian area were greater in the postpartum than in the prepubertal period. Therefore, AFC is not affected by the puberty of Nelore heifers, but increases significantly when the prepubertal heifers become cows.