Follicular dynamics in cattle-A review

The ovaries of cattle have three anatomical compartments-the stroma, corpus luteum and follicle. There are two different pools of follicle, the non growing pool and the growing pool. Follicle is the key component as it produces steroid hormone and ova necessary for a successful reproduction. Once the follicles are recruited to grow, they meet one of the two fates-atresia or ovulation. Ovarian follicle development occurs in a wave like pattern and is characterized by the process of recruitment, selection and dominance. These processes are very much hormone dependent, which plays a major role in recruitment, selection and development of these follicles.