Hormonal control of follicular development and differentiation in mares

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The horse is a species of significant economic importance in Canada, and yet our understanding of the basic mechanisms regulating reproduction in mares remains relatively limited, as compared to other domestic animal species. Our ability to control and improve fertility in mares depends in part on our understanding of key biochemical and biophysical events associated with terminal follicular differentiation. Moreover, considering some of the features of the equine preovulatory follicle (large size, long ovulatory process, predictable location of ovulation, and development monitored by ultrasound), its value as a model for monoovulatory species is evident as revealed from studies published under current NSERC support. The focus of my research in mares has centered on the gonadotropin-dependent induction of follicular luteinization and ovulation, and the present renewal application builds on our current findings and represents a logical continuation of my research program.