Ovarian follicle populations, steroidogenicity and micromorphology at 5 and 9 weeks post partum in beef cows in two levels of body condition

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Abstract
The effect of body condition at calving on ovarian follicle characteristics during post-partum anoestrus was studied in 38 suckling Blue-Grey cows with mean body-condition scores of 205) (H) or 205) (L) at calving and fed so that they maintained live weight and body condition during lactation. Cows of each level of body condition were ovariectomized at either 5 or 9 weeks after calving and follicles 3 mm in diameter than H cows (249; P 035, 045 respectively; these proportions were not affected by body condition or time of ovariectomy. Body condition did not affect the overall mean capacity of the cultured follicles to produce oestradiol or progesterone in vitro but testosterone production was higher in follicles from H than L cows (6406 v. 5206 pg/h; P < 018).