Dinâmica folicular ovariana em ovelhas Santa Inês portadoras do polimorfismo FecGe do gene GDF-9

Abstract

This study aimed the study of ovarian follicular dynamics in a interovulatory period in nulliparous Santa Ines sheep carrying the polymorphism FecGE. Were used 21 sheep that previously genotyped for FecGE polymorphism by PCR-RFLP. The animals were divided into three groups (n = 7 / group) according to the genotype mutation: WW - non-mutant wild; EW . heterozygote and EE - homozygous. Follicular dynamics were monitored by ultrasound within a period interovulatory. The capture and measurement of the ovaries images were made every 24 hours until detection of estrus, being adjusted to every 12 hours until ovulation. It was found that 15 animals (71.42%) showed the emergence of three waves and six (28.58%) had four follicular waves. Don ft were influence of genotype on the selection, follicles . 2 and . 4 mm, (2,8 } 0,7) and follicular dominance, follicles > 5 mm, (0,9 } 0,1), the interovulatory period (17,5 } 0,2) and the duration of estrus (38,11 } 0,9). The largest number of ovulations was observed in homozygous sheep (2.4 } 0.2) compared to the wild type (1.7 } 0.2), however, heterozygous presenting intermediate value (1.9 } 0.1) but not differ from the others. Despite genetic groups did as not differ to the interval between the onset of estrus and ovulation (25,34 } 1,8), high individual variation was observed among sheep within each genotype. Santa Ines sheep that carriers the polymorphism FecGE express some differences in ovarian follicular dynamics in relation to non-mutants, being represented mainly by the largest number of ovulations in homozygous genetic group.