Antral Follicle Count In Nelore Females Subjected To Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination

This study aimed to categorize the antral follicle count(AFC) in Nelore females and subsequently determine the effect of some reproductive parameters and body condition score BCS) on the AFC, as well as compare conception rates among Nelore females with different categories of AFC subjected to a fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocol. For that, 596 Nelore females were submitted a FTAI protocol, D4 protocol females were determined the ovarian diameter (OVD), the presence of corpus luteum (CL) and the AFC. The inseminations were performed using cryopreserved semen. The pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography. The females were divided according to animal category (ACT), the postpartum days(PPD), OVD, presence of CL and BCS. According to this the average of the AFC and the largest population follicular intrinsically presented by the Nelore females, it was suggested that a categorization, which was considered low AFC <= 32, intermediate AFC between 32 and 48and high AFC >= 48folliclesanimal(-1). The ACT, the PPD and the BCS did not affect AFC of the animals, however, there were differences between the mean AFC in the class with the largest OVD compared the others. The presence of CL affected the AFC animals. Regarding fertility has not been demonstrated effect of AFC on conception rates of females inseminated. The results suggest that the AFC seems to be an intrinsic characteristic remained constant regard less of the physiological status of the animal. There was a positive interrelationship between DOV and the AFC. The presence of CL affected the AFC animals. However the AFC doesn't affect reproductive performance in FTAI programs.