The objective of this study was to examine the follicular fluid biochemical and hormonal changes associated with ovarian
follicular cysts in buffalo. Follicular fluid was aspirated from eight
cysts and eight preovulatory follicles, and subjected to biochemical and hormonal analyses.
Cysts were characterized by a greater (P<0.01) concentration of
nitric oxide and lesser concentrations of
ascorbic acid and
glucose than that of preovulatory follicles (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). Furthermore,
follicular cysts had greater concentrations of
progesterone (P<0.001),
triiodothyronine (T(3)) and
cortisol (P<0.05) and lesser concentrations of
insulin (P<0.001) than preovulatory follicles. The results indicate
follicular cysts in buffalo have an altered biochemical and hormonal composition. The alterations include increases in
nitric oxide,
progesterone,
cortisol and T(3) concentrations with a concurrent reduction in
ascorbic acid,
insulin and
glucose concentrations. The study suggests that greater
progesterone concentrations possibly inhibit the onset of LH surge resulting in formation of
follicular cysts in buffalo. In addition, it implies the plausible role of intra-ovarian regulators such as
nitric oxide,
ascorbic acid and
insulin in development of the condition.