Study of Follicular Development and Heredity of Morphological Types of Ovaries in Prepuberal Gilts

Two different morphological types of ovaries ("grape" and "other" types) previously described by microscopic examination were studied on 107 live gilts. The ovarian type and distribution of macroscopic follicles during the prepuberal period were determined at 140, 160 and 180 d of age by laparoscopic examination. The incidence of grape-type (GT) ovaries was higher (P less than .05) at 140 d of age (50.5%) than at 160 d (38.3%) or 180 d (35.5%). At maturity (d 19 of the first postweaning estrus), 37.7% of the ovaries were classified as GT. The proportion of gilts that maintained their initial type (at 140 d of age) at 160 d, 180 d and at maturity was higher (P less than .05) for the gilts having the other-type (OT) ovaries (49% and 25% for OT and GT, respectively). The mean number of small follicles (1 to 3 mm in diameter) was higher (P less than .05) for the OT ovaries at 140 d (71.5 vs 18.0), at 160 d (79.3 vs 26.2) and at 180 d (77.0 vs 32.8). The number of follicles of 4 to 5 mm was higher (P less than .05) for GT ovaries at 140 d (16.4 vs 4.8), at 160 d (20.9 vs 4.8) and at 180 d of age (21.4 vs 5.7). The large follicles (greater than or equal to 6 mm) were more numerous for the GT at 140 d (7.0 vs .3), at 160 d (5.7 vs .5) and at 180 d (4.4 vs .6). No statistical difference was observed at maturity in the distribution of follicles between the two types.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)