Investigation of The Effects of Some Intrafollicular Growth Factors (GDF-9, GATA-4, GATA-6, IGF-I, IGF-II) on Etiopathogenesis of Cystic Follicular Ovarian Degenerations in Cows

The aim of the presented study was to investigate the efficacy of intrafollicular GDF-9, GATA-4, GATA-6, IGF-I and IGF-II levels on etiopathogenesis of follicular cystic degenerations in dairy cows in accordance with some puerperal physiology parameters. After calving in the farm, all the cows were screened for the preovulatory and cystic follicles via ultrasonography with 5 MHz transrectal linear probe for the evaluation of ovarian activity at the days of postpartum 14, 24, 34, 44 and 55. Preovulatory and cystic follicular fluids were collected by aspiration via transvaginal ovum pick up method. Furthermore, uterine involution and vaginal discharges were evaluated by clinical examinations. Intrafollicular expression of GDF-9, GATA-4 and GATA-6 proteins were estimated by Western-blot assay and IGF-I levels were determined by ELISA. In cyst group, densitometric evaluation revealed that the expression of intrafollicular GDF-9, GATA-4 and GATA-6 and IGF-I levels were significantly lower than the control group (p<0.01). According to ovarian examinations, in cyst group, it was observed that at the day of postpartum 14 and 24, the difference in follicular diameters were significant between groups (p<0.01) and the follicles moved directly to cystic structure at the days of postpartum 24 or 34, is originated from same follicles at the day of postpartum 14. Involution process was observed to be slightly lower in cyst group, but, it was determined that there was no difference in uterine involutions among the study groups (p>0.05). In follicular cyst group, especially at the days of postpartum 24 and 34, the observation of severe mucotic vaginal discharges was found noteworthy. As a result, dairy cows presenting cystic ovaries, have lower intrafollicular GDF-9, GATA-4, GATA-6 and IGF-I levels than those of the preovulatory follicle group and also it has been suggested that, these proteins may play an active role in the etiopathogenesis of ovarian cysts and these findings may be associated with physiological parameters as well.