Mapping Ovarian Status: Antral Follicle Count and Plasma Anti-Müllerian Hormone Correlation as Determinants of GPG Protocol Efficacy in Anestrus and Cystic Cows
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.22.5.24Keywords:
Anestrus, Anti-Müllerian hormone, Antral follicle count, Crossbred cows, Cystic ovarian degeneration, GPG protocol. Abstract
Evaluating ovarian functional reserve is essential for managing reproductive disorders in high-yielding dairy cattle. This study investigated the relationship between plasma Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) concentrations and Antral Follicle Count (AFC) in postpartum crossbred cows affected by anestrus and cystic ovarian degeneration (COD) following a Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone-Prostaglandin-Gonadotropin (GPG) therapeutic protocol. Thirty postpartum crossbred cows (2nd -4th parity) were allocated into three groups (n=10 each): Group I (COD), Group II (postpartum anestrus), and Group III (normal cyclic control). Reproductive status was assessed using transrectal ultrasonography and per-rectal palpation. All cows received a standardized GPG protocol. Blood samples and ultrasonographic examinations were performed on Days 0 and 9 to evaluate plasma AMH concentrations and AFC. At Day 0, cyclic and COD cows exhibited significantly higher AFC (22.40±2.30 and 23.10±2.64, respectively) than anestrus cows (13.30±1.23; p<0.01). Plasma AMH concentrations followed a similar pattern, with lower values in anestrus cows (229.50±24.18 ng/L) than in cyclic (300.97±24.36 ng/L) and COD cows (301.97±27.30 ng/L). Following treatment, AFC increased significantly in all groups, with the greatest improvement observed in anestrus cows (28.70±1.71; p<0.001). Plasma AMH concentrations also increased significantly (p<0.05) in cyclic, anestrus, and COD cows. Strong positive correlations were observed between AFC and plasma AMH both before (r=0.799; p<0.001) and after treatment (r=0.708; p<0.001). Estrus induction and conception rates were highest in cyclic cows (90.0% and 66.7%), followed by COD (70.0% and 57.1%) and anestrus cows (60.0% and 50.0%). Although AMH showed a positive association with treatment response, its predictive value for conception was limited (AUC=0.665; p>0.05). Overall, plasma AMH reliably reflected AFC and follicular activity, while the GPG protocol effectively enhanced folliculogenesis in anestrus and COD-affected cows.
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