Journal
THERIOGENOLOGY
Volume 212, Issue -, Pages 30-36Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.08.028
Keywords
Cat; Ovary; AMH; Immunohistochemistry; Estrous cycle
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This study analyzed the relationship between anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentration in blood and ovarian tissue in female cats. The results showed that AMH protein was expressed in all endocrine structures of the cat ovary, but its usefulness for assessing individual cat ovarian function is limited.
In female animals of different species, Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is produced by follicular granulosa cells and has been associated with the ovarian follicle pool. Because concentration of AMH in plasma of ovary-intact female cats is apparently more variable than previously assumed, we have analysed AMH concentration in blood of cats (n = 93) presented for routine ovariectomy and assessed ovarian histology and AMH protein expression in the surgically removed ovaries. We hypothesised that AMH is synthesized only in preantral and small antral follicles and that plasma AMH concentration reflects the antral follicle count (AFC). Corpora lutea were detected in 35% of the female cats, whereas plasma progesterone concentration was >= 1 ng/mL in 57% of the cats. Follicular cysts were present in 15 cats (16%). Positive immunostaining for AMH protein was detected in close to all primordial and antral follicles, ovarian cysts, 70% of corpora lutea and 28% of atretic follicles. Concentration of AMH in plasma averaged 6.8 +/- 0.5 ng/mL (range 1.3-21.7 ng/mL). The AFC increased with increasing AMH concentration with a moderate positive correlation between AFC and AMH (r = 0.286, p < 0.01). Plasma AMH concentration was not affected by season or cats' age, weight, stage of the estrous cycle and presence of follicular cysts. In conclusion, AMH protein is expressed in all endocrine structures of the cat ovary. While AMH is a marker for the presence of ovarian tissue, its usefulness to assess ovarian function in individual female cats is of limited value.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available