Macro-elements composition of cystic and follicular fluid in the ovaries and their relationship to peripheral blood concentration in sows

The aim of this work is the comparison of sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus concentration in pre-ovulatory follicles and follicular cysts and their concentration in the serum of sows. The research was conducted on sows (Polish Large White x Polish Landrace crossbred). Sodium concentration in cystic fluid was higher than in the follicular fluid (P<0.05). Sodium concentration in the serum of cysts-bearing sows was higher than in non-cysts-bearing sows (P<0.01). Differences were also observed between cysts and serum of cysts-bearing sows (P<0.01), as well as follicles and serum of non-cysts-bearing sows (P<0.01). Calcium concentration in the serum of non-cysts- bearing sows was higher than in the case of cysts-bearing sows (P<0.01). Differences were also between calcium concentration in the cysts and its concentration in the serum of cysts-bearing sows (P<0.05). Magnesium concentration in the serum of cysts-bearing sows was lower than in non-cysts-bearing sows (P<0.01). Differences in magnesium concentration were also between cysts and serum of cysts-bearing sows (P<0.01), as well as between follicles and serum of non-cysts-bearing sows (P<0.05). Phosphorus concentration in the cysts was lower than in the follicles (P<0.05). It was also lower in the serum of non-cysts-bearing sows than in the follicles (P<0.05). The concentration of sodium, magnesium and phosphorus in the serum was positively correlated with the concentration of the mentioned macro-elements in ovarian structures (r = 0.66, P<0.01; r = 0.49, and r = 0.48, P<0.05, respectively). A negative correlation was found between the concentration of serum calcium and the ovarian structures (r = -0.47, P<0.05). The differences in the concentrations of macro-elements suggest that the ionic composition may be one of the factors associated with the processes occurring in the ovarian structures of pigs.