MVSc

The objective of the present study was to analyse the
ovarian factors that would influence the type of oocyte recovered for
further use in terms of in vitro embryo production. The normal
ovaries of crossbred cows collected randomly from the slaughter
house were classified into four stages Stage I (SI), Stage Il (S2),
Stage III (S3) and Stage IV (S4) of the oestrous cycle according to the
visual appearance of CL and ovarian morphology.
The length, width, thickness and weight of the ovary
were significantly influenced by the stage of the oestrous cycle and
the maximum value was recorded during the S3 stage (late luteal
phase) of the cycle. The average values recorded irrespective of the
stage for length, width, thickness and weight of the ovary was
2.47±O.03cm, 1.81±O.03cm, 1.42±O.03cm and 4.05±O.14g respectively.
The mean number of vesicular follicles belonging to the
4 to 8mm category was significantly influenced by the stage of the
oestrous cycle (p8mm
diameter follicles were not influenced by the stage of the oestrous
cycle. The late luteal phase (S3) had more number of follicles in less
than 4mm category whereas S3 and S4 stage had more number of
follicles in 4 to 8mm and >8mm category.





The size of the follicle had an interactive effect along
with the quality of oocyte obtained in each category of the follicle.
The number of oocytes obtained from <4mm sized follicle was
significantly high (p categories. The good quality oocytes were also found to be
significantly higher in number when recovered from <4mm sized
follicles.
The recovery rate of oocytes as per the stage was found
to have a statistical significance (p higher output from ovaries belonging to the S3 phase than the.
number obtained from SI, S2 and S4 stage. Moreover, the quality of
the oocyte recovered from S3 stage was significantly influenced
(p statistically similar in their effect on oocyte quality.
Slicing method yielded the maximum number of oocytes
per ovary than when compared to the other techniques employed.
There was significant difference in the recovery rate among the
methods (p both in number and quality (6.27 and 61.53 per cent of grade I). The
mean number of oocytes recovered by aspiration, puncturing and
post aspiration slicing was 4.16, 3.67 and 3.13 respectively. The
method of recovery and the quality of oocyte recovered had an

interactive and significant effect on the oocyte recovery rate
(p The level of sodium, potassium, iron and copper in the
follicles of various diameters present during the different stages of
the cycle in the ovaries was found to vary significantly between
stages. The level of zinc was not influenced by the stages of the cycle.
The variation in the concentration of the minerals was found to be
related with the normal physiological changes that occurred during
the different stages of the cycle.