The ovulatory LH surge induces dramatic molecular and structural changes in follicular environment, culminating with follicle rupture and release of a mature oocyte. This review addresses the pre-LH surge events associated with the ovulatory process, such as dominant follicle differentiation and acquisition of ovulatory capacity, as well as autocrine and paracrine factors induced after the LH s...

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is used to produce foals from otherwise infertile mares and from stallions with limited sperm stores, but requires expensive equipment and is technically demanding. Methods to transport oocytes to ICSI laboratories would allow collection of oocytes by the referring veterinarian and enable greater application of this technique....

Whatever the stage of the cycle, follicles of various sizes are apparent on the surface of the ovary of sheep. No evidence of waves of follicular growth at fixed-time intervals has been found during the luteal phase, and growth probably occurs at random until the follicle attains a size of 4 to 7 mm. This shows that follicles can enlarge under a wide range of hormonal levels. The recruitment of...

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest cause of anovulatory infertility and menstrual cycle abnormalities, but the factors responsible for failure to select a dominant follicle remain unclear. METHOD Source is authors' own studies and search of the relevant literature. RESULTS Arrest of antral follicle growth is associated with an abnormal endocrine environment involvi...

Trichoepitheliomas are trichogenic tumors that can have various clinical morphologies. These tumors are benign and differentiate toward the outer root sheath of the hair follicle. Solitary trichoepitheliomas arise sporadically, in contrast to multiple trichoepitheliomas, which are usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait or as part of various genetic syndromes. We report a case of an ad...