Biochemical Compositions in the Follicular Fluid of Different Follicle Groups and Their Relationship with the Blood Concentrations in Dromedary Camels

Abstract

Metabolic profile changes of the follicular fluid of the growing follicles can be used as an indirect indicator of the oocyte and granulosa cells quality. The aim of this study was to investigate the biochemical compositions of follicular fluid collected from follicles at different stages of growth and their relationship with that of blood serum in Dromedary camel. Ovaries were colleceted from local slaughterhouse (Oniza, KSA). Soon after slaughtering, blood samples were collected from Dromedary camel (n = 20) and follicular fluid was aspirated from three different groups of non-atretic follicles (4–6)mm, 6–8mm and 10–20mm diameter). Follicular samples were pooled by maintaining the follicular sizes. Concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, total protein, lactate dehydrosenase (LDH), cortisol, triiodothyronine (T3), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were assayed in each serum and follicular fluid sample. The concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, LDH, T3, IGF-1 and NEFA decreased in the follicular fluid irrespective of follicular sizes and increasing in trend for urea in comparison with blood serum. There was a significant concentration gradient for IGF-1 in small follicular group compared to large or medium groups. Our data from the present study suggest that the oocyte and the granulosa cells of Dromedary she camel develop in a biochemical environment that does not have remarkable changes from small to large follicles except for IGF-1. In conclusion, the above-mentioned metabolic changes in the growing follicle is related to blood metabolic changes and, therefore, may be used in determining follicular dominance, oocyte and granulosa cells quality in Dromedary camel.