Chondroitin Sulfate: An Indicator of Atresia in Bovine Follicles*

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Abstract
Estrogen (E), progesterone (P), and chondroitin sulfate (CS) concentrations in follicular fluid from 172 small (5-mm), 213 medium (6- to 10-mm) and 91 large (11- to 20-mm) individual bovine follicles were measured. Follicular health was classified by methods: histological examination for mitotic and pyknotic granulosa cell nuclei, follicular E concentrations and the ratio of E to P (E/P). All 3 methods were significantly correlated. The highest correlation existed between follicular E concentration and E to P ratio. Atretic follicles contained significantly less E and greater concentrations of P and CS than healthy follicles. CS concentrations significantly decreased as follicle size increased. E and P values did not change in relation to follicle size regardless of follicle health. Concentrations of E were significantly negatively correlated to P and CS, but P and CS were significantly positively correlated among all follicles. Healthy follicles had elevated concentrations of E with relatively low P and CS; atretic follicles had low amounts of E with elevated P and CS.