Biochemical characterization of preovulatory and cystic ovarian follicular fluid of sow

Aim: The present study was designed to biochemically characterize ovarian cyst follicular fluid of sows and to relate possible changes in relation to preovulatory ovarian follicular fluid of sows. Materials and Methods: Ovaries were collected from adult and non-pregnant slaughtered sow (Hampshire X local cross). A total of 16 pairs of ovaries were investigated, and they were classified according to their pathological and physiological status into two categories i.e. preovulatory and cystic follicle (diameter >25 mm with turbid appearance). Fluid was aspirated from the follicles and stored at −20°C prior to assaying. Follicular fluid samples were analyzed for glucose, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urea, creatinine, uric acid. The activities of the enzymes aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were also estimated by spectrophotometric methods. The data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS software. Results: As follicles became cystic, the concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein and albumin showed a significant (p<0.05) increased while BUN decreased significantly (p<0.05). The enzyme activities of ALT, ALP and CK increased significantly (p<0.05), but the activity of GGT significantly (p<0.05) decreased. Conclusion: Results obtained showed that there was a significant change in most of the cystic follicular fluid metabolites.