Relationships between antral follicle count, blood serum concentration of anti-Müllerian hormone and fertility in mares.

Traversari, J; Aepli, H; Knutti, B; Lüttgenau, J; Bruckmaier, R.; Bollwein, H (2019). Relationships between antral follicle count, blood serum concentration of anti-Müllerian hormone and fertility in mares. Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde, 161(10), pp. 627-638. Gesellschaft Schweizer Tierärztinnen und Tierärzte 10.17236/sat00225

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The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) plays an inhibitory role during folliculogenesis by regulating the number of follicles entering the growing pool. Antral follicle counts (AFC) are highly correlated with serum AMH concentrations and both appear to be related to the ovarian reserve in several species. Few data on AMH and AFC in mares exist, especially with regard to fertility. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to investigate the interrelationship between antral follicle count, serum AMH concentrations and fertility outcome in mares. One hundred and twenty-seven mares were enrolled in the study and grouped according to their reproductive status. Around time of estrus, serum AMH concentrations and AFC before and after ovulation were determined. Mares were artificially inseminated and pregnancy diagnosis was performed 14 to 18 days later. A high inter-individual variability in AFC and AMH concentration and a positive relationship between AMH and AFC for follicles ≤ 30 mm in diameter were observed, with a stronger correlation in mares older than 18 years. A high correlation between AFC measurements before and after ovulation was identified. The AFC after ovulation was higher than AFC before ovulation. AMH concentrations were neither related to the mares' reproductive status nor to age, number of cycles needed for pregnancy and pregnancy outcome. Excepted for a higher AFC in the middle-aged mares (9-18 years) compared to the younger mares (< 9 years), no associations between AFC and age, reproductive status as well as fertility of mares were found. This study confirms the relationship between AFC and AMH and a high degree of reproducibility of AFC measurements. However, based on our findings, neither AFC nor AMH are useful predictors of fertility in mares.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health (DCR-VPH) > Veterinary Physiology
05 Veterinary Medicine > Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health (DCR-VPH)

UniBE Contributor:

Bruckmaier, Rupert

Subjects:

500 Science
500 Science > 590 Animals (Zoology)

ISSN:

1664-2848

Publisher:

Gesellschaft Schweizer Tierärztinnen und Tierärzte

Language:

English

Submitter:

Hélène Elisabeth Meier

Date Deposited:

03 Feb 2020 14:34

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 15:35

Publisher DOI:

10.17236/sat00225

PubMed ID:

31586925

Uncontrolled Keywords:

AMH Anzahl Follikel Ovar Pferd Ultraschall compte folliculaire conta dei follicoli ecografia equine equini follicle count ovaia ovaire ovary reproductive status stato riproduttivo ultrasonography ­Reproduktionsstatus échographie équin état reproducteur

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.138776

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/138776

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