MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF BUBALINE AND BOVINE OVARIES AT DIFFERENT PHASES OF REPRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY

Resumo

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ovarian morphometry and the number of surface ovarian follicles in bubaline and bovine species at different phases of reproductive activity. Ovaries from 86 (33 pregnant and 53 non-pregnant) buffaloes and 95 (36 pregnant and 59 non-pregnant) cows were collected in slaughterhouses and transported to the laboratory in saline solution enriched with penicillin and streptomycin at 36ºC. Ovarian dimensions were measured using digital pachymeter and balance. The ovarian format was predominantly ovoid in both buffaloes and cows, considering two categories: non-pregnant (72.6 and 78.8%, respectively) and pregnant animals (86.4 and 80.6%, respectively). Most ovaries were pinkish in the bubaline and yellowish in the bovine species. The dimensions and weight of ovaries were lower (p< 0.001) in buffaloes (24.4 mm length x 17.1 mm width x 13.1 mm thickness, and 4.0 g) than in cows (30.9 mm length x 21.7 mm width x 15.4 mm thickness, and 7.7 g). The number of surface ovarian follicles was also smaller (p<0.001) in buffaloes (21.5 ± 14.1) than in cows (35.6 ± 18.5). In buffaloes, pregnancy negatively affected such number (25.8 ± 16.2 for pregnant and 14.7 ± 5.0 for nonpregnant animals; p< 0.001). Differences were observed in all analysis, indicating that each species has its own physiological characteristics.