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Effect of season and breed group on the follicular population and cyclicity of heifers under tropical conditions

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Abstract

The aim was to determine the effect of season and breed group on follicular population, and presence and size of CL of heifers under tropical conditions. The seasons were hot-dry (March–June), hot-humid (July–October), and fresh-humid (November–February). Thirty Zebu (Brahman) and 38 F1 (Simmental × Brahman) heifers were used. Five evaluations were made in each season, at intervals of 7 days, to assess ovarian activity by ultrasound. Follicles were classified as small (≤4 mm), middle (4.1–8 mm), and large (≥8.1 mm) sizes, and also the size of CL, when present, was measured. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and logistic regression procedures. Mean number of small follicles was 11.6 ± 2.3 with no effect of season, breed group, or their interaction (P > 0.05). Mean number of middle follicles was influenced by season and breed group; the highest average was found in the fresh-humid season (4.0 ± 0.2) and in F1 heifers (3.6 ± 0.2; P < 0.05). The highest mean number of large follicles was in the hot-humid season (1.4 ± 0.1; P < 0.05). The highest maximum follicle diameter (MFD) mean was registered in the hot-humid season (1.3 mm; P < 0.05) and the lowest proportion of heifers with CL occurred in fresh-humid season (33.3%; P < 0.05). No effect of season, breed group, and interaction on the maximum diameter of the CL was found. In conclusion, season was a very important source of variation. Heifers in the hot-humid season had the largest follicles and MFD, and better cyclicity.

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Acknowledgments

“Programa para el desarrollo profesional docente (PRODEP)” is acknowledged for providing the PhD scholarship for the first author, and to Susano López for the animals used in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. División Académica de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Carretera Villahermosa-Teapa Km. 25, R/A La Huasteca 2ª Sección, ZP.86280, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México

    Jorge Alonso Peralta-Torres

  2. Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil Km. 15.5, ZP. 97100, Mérida, Yucatán, México

    Jesús Ricardo Aké-López, Fernando Gerardo Centurión-Castro & José C. Segura-Correa

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  1. Jorge Alonso Peralta-Torres
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  2. Jesús Ricardo Aké-López
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  3. Fernando Gerardo Centurión-Castro
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  4. José C. Segura-Correa
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Correspondence to Jorge Alonso Peralta-Torres.

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All of the authors declare that during the experiment, no animals or people were maltreated or injured. Management and facilities were in accordance with the ethical standards accepted as good animal management practices. All of the listed authors have participated in the development of this research and wrote this document.

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Peralta-Torres, J.A., Aké-López, J.R., Centurión-Castro, F.G. et al. Effect of season and breed group on the follicular population and cyclicity of heifers under tropical conditions. Trop Anim Health Prod 49, 207–211 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-016-1182-7

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