Association of Antral Follicle Count and Serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone Concentration with Age and Parity in Ongole (Bos indicus) Cattle
Praveen Kumar Mudamanasu
Department of Veterinary Gynaecology & Obstetrics, School of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Parlakhemundi, Odisha-761211, India.
Mutha Rao Murakonda *
LRS, SVVU, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh-522034, India.
Raghavendra Srikanth Nistala
LRS, SVVU, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh-522034, India.
Sreemannarayana Telapalli
APLDA, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh-522034, India.
Sunny Praveen Kurati
LRS, SVVU, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh-522034, India.
Srinivas Manda
Department of Veterinary Gynaecology & Obstetrics, CVSc, SVVU, Garividi, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh-535101, India.
Sreenu Makkena
CVSc, SVVU, Garividi, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh-535101, India.
Srinivasa Prasad Chigurupati
CVSc, SVVU, Proddatur, Andhra Pradesh-516360, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the association between antral follicle count (AFC), serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration, age, and parity in Ongole (Bos indicus) cattle, with the objective of identifying reliable biomarkers for ovarian reserve and oocyte donor selection. Eighty-four clinically normal, cyclic Ongole cows aged 3–20 years with parities ranging from 1 to 12 were included in the investigation. Ovarian antral follicles (≥3 mm) were enumerated using transrectal ultrasonography at a random stage of the estrous cycle. Concurrently, blood samples were collected and serum AMH concentrations were estimated using a commercial cattle AMH ELISA kit. Animals were categorised based on AFC and age to assess variability and correlations among parameters. The mean AFC and serum AMH concentrations exhibited wide inter-animal variation. A significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) was observed between AFC and serum AMH levels, indicating that circulating AMH reliably reflects the antral follicle population. Both AFC and AMH showed a significant negative correlation (p < 0.01) with age and parity. Younger cows exhibited significantly higher AFC and AMH concentrations, while cows older than 13 years showed a marked decline in both parameters, indicating reduced ovarian reserve. Animals with low AFC were significantly older and had higher parity compared to those with intermediate and high AFC. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that AFC and serum AMH concentration are robust, non-invasive indicators of ovarian reserve in Ongole cattle. Combined assessment of these parameters can be effectively utilised for selecting superior oocyte donors, thereby enhancing the efficiency and success of OPU-IVF-ET programs in Bos indicus breeds.
Keywords: Antral follicle count, anti-müllerian hormone, ongole cattle, ovarian reserve, age and parity, OPU-IVF-ET