Growing follicle in buffalo ovary: A histomorphometrical study during different seasons of the year

The present study was conducted on 100 ovaries of adult buffaloes collected from slaughter house during different seasons of year viz; winter, spring, summer, rainy and autumn. The whole ovary was processed for paraffin blocks preparation and sectioned with a rotary microtome at a thickness of 10micron. The growing follicles were characterized by an oocyte surrounded by 2 or more layers of granulosa cells enclosed with a basement membrane. Three types of growing follicles were observed. Type I was without any connective tissue layer. Type II was surrounded by connective tissue layer but without any antrum whereas Type III was having connective tissue layer and small pools of antrum. There was no significant difference in follicular diameter during different season. The average number of growing follicles was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during winter and autumn seasons as compared to other seasons.