DefinePK

Abstract

The study was to investigate whether there was any association between follicular cysts and lipid metabolites. A total of 10 spontaneously occurring cystic cows were used as a treatment group and 10 normal estrous cyclic cows were used as a control group. The serum progesterone concentration in the cystic cows was below 1.0 ng/ml. Fatty acids in serum and cystic fluid or follicular fluid of cystic cows or normal estrous cyclic cows were determined by gas chromatography. The concentrations of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides were determined by enzymatic colorimetric method and progesterone level by fluoroimmunoassay. The fatty acids, such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and ?-linoleic acid concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05) in cystic fluid than the follicular fluid of the normal estrous cyclic cows. Among the three types of follicles, the concentrations of all fatty acids were highest in the small follicles than the medium or large follicles. Stearic acid and linoleic acid concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in serum of cystic cows compared to the serum of normal estrous cyclic cows. The overall concentration of fatty acids was higher (P<0.05) in the cystic fluid than the concentration in the serum of normal cyclic cows. The concentration of glucose was lowest (P<0.05) in follicular fluid and serum of the cystic cows than that of the normal estrous cyclic cows. Conversely, the cholesterol concentration was higher (P<0.05) in follicular fluid and serum of the cystic cows, while triglycerides was lowest (P<0.05) in serum of normal estrous cyclic cows. Therefore, it might be concluded that impaired lipid metabolism and its higher concentration resulted the follicular cyst formation in dairy cattle.