Morphometric studies of follicular development in ovaries of prepubertal and adult bitches

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the population of different follicles in the ovaries of prepubertal and adult bitches of anestrus and diestrus stages. Thirty bitches were divided into 3 groups: prepubertal bitches (n=10), adult bitches of diestrus period (n=10) and adult bitches of anestrus period (n=10). After ovariohysterectomy, ovaries were collected and proceeded for histology. Follicles were counted from 5 sections of each ovary and mean value obtained for each ovary. Prepubertal bitches had more primordial follicles compared to adult bitches. Sequential microscopic changes observed among immature female dogs and adult dogs during different stages of the estrous cycle.