Follicle characteristics of non-woolly Indian goats

Skin follicular studies of four non-woolly Indian goat breeds are reported. The number of primary follicles ranged from 2 to 14 mm-2 with an overall mean of 6.40 +/- 0.22. Secondary follicles per mm2 ranged from 1 to 23 with an overall mean of 9.48 +/- 0.55. The secondary/primary follicle ratios (S/P) for Black Bengal, Jamnapari, Barbari and Sirohi goats were 1.57 +/- 0.21, 1.15 +/- 0.16, 1.61 +/- 0.21 and 2.04 +/- 0.21, respectively, with an overall mean of 1.59 +/- 0.99. The corresponding values for the total follicles per mm2 for the four breeds were 16.83 +/- 1.39, 15.86 +/- 1.08, 17.66 +/- 1.41 and 13.19 +/- 1.41 with an overall mean of 15.88 +/- 0.66. Per cent primaries were lowest in Sirohi and highest in Jamnapari goats. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences between breeds for the number of primary follicles and S/P ratio. Sex differences and the interaction between breed x sex were not significant for any of the follicle traits studied. On the basis of follicle characteristics the non-woolly short-haired goats offer a reasonable scope for crossing with fibre goats, and Sirohi goats possibly have better skin quality for leather conversion than other goat breeds studied.     

AREG对绵羊小腔卵泡卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

旨在研究双调蛋白（AREG）对绵羊小腔卵泡卵母细胞体外成熟（IVM）的影响。本研究从屠宰场绵羊卵巢上采集小腔和中腔卵泡的卵母细胞进行试验，利用自发荧光检测卵母细胞的NAD （P） H和FAD⁺⁺水平，利用JC-1检测卵母细胞的线粒体膜电位；两种来源的卵母细胞经体外成熟后，比较其卵丘扩展指数（CEI）、第一极体排出率（MII%）；比较AREG、AREG+GDF9、AREG+BMP15、AREG+GDF9+BMP15、GDF9+BMP15对小腔卵泡卵母细胞体外成熟后的CEI、MII%及卵母细胞线粒体膜电位的影响；检测了AREG+GDF9+BMP15对小腔卵泡卵母细胞体外成熟后的NAD （P） H和FAD⁺⁺水平及其受精后发育能力的影响。结果表明，成熟前，小腔卵泡卵母细胞的线粒体膜电位和FAD⁺⁺水平均显著低于中腔卵泡卵母细胞（P<0.05）；体外成熟培养后，小腔卵泡卵母细胞的CEI和MII%均显著低于中腔卵泡卵母细胞（P<0.05）。与对照组相比，AREG+GDF9+BMP15显著提高了小腔卵泡卵母细胞体外成熟后的CEI、MII%和线粒体膜电位（P<0.05），且与中腔卵泡卵母细胞组差异不显著（P>0.05）；另外，AREG+GDF9+BMP15显著提高了小腔卵泡卵母细胞体外成熟后的NAD （P） H和FAD⁺⁺水平（P<0.05），且与中腔卵泡卵母细胞组差异不显著（P>0.05）。与对照组相比，在成熟液中添加AREG+GDF9+BMP15可以明显提高小腔卵泡卵母细胞体外受精后的卵裂率和囊胚率（分别为（43.79±3.69）%、（28.54±4.31）%和（78.99±1.12）%、（47.46±2.50）%，P<0.05），而且与中腔卵泡卵母细胞组无显著差异（P>0.05）。综上表明，绵羊小腔卵泡卵母细胞的代谢水平及IVM质量较低， AREG在GDF9和BMP15的协同作用下可以显著提高小腔卵泡卵母细胞的代谢水平及IVM质量，并进一步提高小腔卵泡卵母细胞体外受精后的发育能力。     

贵州白山羊GDF9基因编码区1007位点的多态性

生长分化因子9(growth differentiation factor 9,GDF9)基因是卵母细胞分泌的生长因子,调节卵泡的早期生长和分化。对贵州白山羊GDF 9基因的研究结果显示,编码区1007位碱基与已知山羊不同。为了研究1007位点对贵州白山羊繁殖力的影响,采用锚定PCR对GDF 9基因外显子2第18位氨基酸密码子所在区域进行了扩增、克隆测序和基因型分析,结果表明,GDF 9基因编码区1007位点表现出C/T多态性,使成熟肽第18位氨基酸为丙氨酸/缬氨酸替换;低产母羊均为杂合基因型,高产母羊中90%为杂合基因型,高产羊群与低产羊群之间基因型频率差异不显著（P＞0.05）,表明GDF 9基因1007位点的多态性与贵州白山羊产羔数之间没有直接的相关性。     

Effect of Prenatal and Neonatal Anti‐Androgen Flutamide Treatment on Aquaporin 5 Expression in the Adult Porcine Ovary

The growth of ovarian follicles is accompanied by fluid‐filled antrum formation. Water movement within the follicular wall is predominantly transcellular via membranous water channels named aquaporins (AQPs). Androgens are important regulators of mammalian folliculogenesis, and their prenatal and/or neonatal deficiency affects female fertility in adulthood. Therefore, this study was performed to determine whether gestational or neonatal exposure to the anti‐androgen flutamide influences androgen‐dependent AQP5 expression in pre‐antral and large antral follicles of adult pigs. Flutamide was injected into pregnant gilts between days 80 and 88 of gestation and into female piglets between days 2 and 10 post‐natally. The ovaries were collected from flutamide‐treated and non‐treated (control) sexually mature pigs. In pre‐antral follicles, AQP5 mRNA and protein levels were both downregulated following maternal (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively) and neonatal (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively) flutamide exposure. Likewise, the expression of mRNA (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively) and protein (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) for AQP5 were diminished in large antral follicles in both groups. Immunohistochemistry showed decreased intensity of AQP5 immunoreaction in pre‐antral (p < 0.01) and large antral (p < 0.001) follicles following flutamide treatment. Moreover, radioimmunological analysis revealed that changes observed in AQP5 expression corresponded with diminished follicular androgens production after both maternal (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively) and neonatal (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) flutamide administration. Therefore, AQP5 appears to be a potential regulator of follicular fluid accumulation, under androgen control, and may be a key factor in antral follicle growth.     

Effects of oocyte-derived growth factors on the growth of porcine oocytes and oocyte–cumulus cell complexes in vitro

During oocyte growth and follicle development, oocytes closely communicate with cumulus cells. We examined the effects of oocyte-derived growth factors, growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), on the growth and acquisition of meiotic competence of porcine oocytes collected from early antral follicles (1.2–1.5 mm). First, we confirmed that GDF9 and BMP15 mRNAs were expressed almost exclusively in the oocytes. Oocyte–cumulus cell complexes (OCCs) collected from early antral follicles were cultured in growth medium supplemented with 0–100 ng/ml of GDF9 or BMP15 for 5 days. GDF9 dose-dependently increased the OCC diameter, while BMP15 did not. GDF9 and BMP15 had no significant effects on oocyte growth (P > 0.05). When OCCs that had been cultured with 50 and 100 ng/ml BMP15 were subjected to a subsequent maturation culture, they expanded fully by gonadotropic stimulation and 49% and 61% of oocytes matured to metaphase II (MII), respectively. In contrast, GDF9 did not promote cumulus expansion, and < 10% of oocytes matured to MII. Based on the difference in cumulus expansion, we compared the expression of luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) and follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) mRNAs in cumulus cells. The level of LHCGR mRNA was increased in cumulus cells of the BMP15 group, although there were no significant differences in FSHR mRNA levels among the groups. These results suggest that GDF9 promotes the growth of OCCs and that BMP15 promotes LHCGR mRNA expression in cumulus cells during oocyte growth culture, which may contribute to cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation.     

黔北麻羊生长分化因子9和骨形态发生蛋白15基因遗传变异分析

试验将生长分化因子9(GDF9)基因和骨形态发生蛋白15(BMP15)基因作为候选基因,采用直接测序法检测GDF9和BMP15基因在黔北麻羊中的单核苷酸多态性。结果表明,在GDF9基因外显子2的562 bp处发生了突变(A→C),导致谷氨酰胺突变为脯氨酸,检测到AA、Aa 2种基因型,基因型频率分别为0.7273、0.2727;A、a等位基因频率分别为0.8637、0.1363。BMP15基因外显子2的480 bp处发生了突变(C→G),导致谷氨酰胺突变为谷氨酸,检测到BB、Bb 2种基因型,基因型频率分别为0.7000、0.3000;B、b等位基因频率分别为0.8500、0.1500。     

Influence of growth differentiation factor 9 and bone morphogenetic protein 15 on in vitro maturation of canine oocytes

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF‐9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP‐15) have pivotal roles in oocyte development in many species, therefore the aim was to investigate these factors during in vitro maturation (IVM) of canine oocytes. Canine cumulus oocytes complexes (COCs) were cultured in six groups for 72 hr in a supplemented TCM199‐Hepes medium as (a) Control group; (b) GDF‐9 antibody (Ab); (c) BMP‐15 Ab; (d) recombinant human (rh) GDF‐9; (e) rh BMP‐15 or (f) rh BMP‐15 and GDF‐9. Data were evaluated by ANOVA. The Abs against GDF‐9 or BMP‐15 had a negative impact on meiotic development. Higher (p < 0.05) number of oocytes was arrested at GVBD stage when they were incubated with either GDF‐9 Ab (64.4 ± 2.1%) or BMP‐15 Ab (67.2%± 4.9%) in comparison to those in control group (32.4 ± 7.8%). In contrast, more (p < 0.05) oocytes in control group reached MI (37.4 ± 1.3%) and MII stages (10.2 ± 2.1%) comparing to those groups with GDF‐9 Ab (23.1 ± 4.7% MI; 0.0% MII) or BMP‐15 Ab (16.4 ± 2.4%MI; 5.9% ± 2.1 MII). Higher rates (p < 0.05) of oocytes in control group stayed still arrested at GV (19.9 ± 8.6%) in comparison to those cultured with either rhGDF‐9 (3.7 ± 0.4%) or rhBMP‐15 (10.9 ± 0.7%). However, there were no differences in MII rates between oocytes cultured with GDF‐9 (14.7 ± 3.1) and BMP‐15 (7.8 ± 2.5) separately. But, more oocytes (p < 0.05) reached the MII stage (20.5 ± 3.8%) compared to those exposed to each protein separately and to the control group. These results suggest that these proteins likely contribute to the meiotic development in dogs.     

Polymorphism of <Emphasis Type="Italic">GDF</Emphasis>9 gene and its association with litter size in goats

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) was studied as a candidate gene for high prolificacy in goats. The polymorphism of exon 1 and flanking of GDF9 gene was detected by PCR-SSCP in five goat breeds with different prolificacy. Three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were detected in goat breeds joined and two silent mutations (c.183A>C and c.336C>T) were identified in comparison genotype AA with genotype BB. Heterozygous genotype AB and wild type BB were detected in all five goat breeds and homozygous genotype AA was only detected in Jining Grey goats. The frequencies of genotypes AA, AB and BB were 0.18, 0.42 and 0.40 in Jining Grey goats, respectively. The genotype distribution was different (P < 0.01) between high prolificacy breed (Jining Grey goat) and low prolificacy breeds (Boer, Wendeng Dairy, Liaoning Cashmere and Beijing native goats). The Jining Grey goat does with genotype AA and AB had 0.72 (P < 0.01) and 0.56 (P < 0.01) kids more than those with genotype BB, respectively. The does with genotype AA had 0.16 (P > 0.05) kids more than those with genotype AB. These indicated that the allele A may have certain correlation with prolificacy in Jining Grey goats.     

Mutations in bone morphogenetic protein 15 and growth differentiation factor 9 genes are associated with increased litter size in fat-tailed sheep breeds

The objective of this study was to investigate association between GDF9 and BMP15 gene polymorphism and litter size in fat-tailed sheep, a total of 97 mature ewes from four breeds (Afshari=19; Baluchi=18; Makui=30 and Mehraban=30) were genotyped for the BMP15 HinfI and GDF9 HhaI polymorphisms by PCR-RFLP technique. The highest and lowest mutant allele frequencies were found in Makui (0.27) and Afshari (0.10) sheep for the BMP15 gene and in Afshari (0.24) and Mehraban (0.18) sheep for the GDF9 gene, respectively. Litter size was significantly influenced by genotype of the ewe for two genes (P < 0.01). Heterozygous genotypes for both loci showed higher litter size than homozygous genotypes (P < 0.01). None of the individuals carried homozygous genotype for both of the GDF9 and BMP15 variants in these breeds. The individuals carrying the mutant allele for one of the investigated candidate gene still showed fertile phenotype. Thus, existence of homozygosity at one of the BMP15 and GDF9 variant is not probably able to block normal hormonal pathway of reproduction in fat-tailed sheep.     

Comparison of Antral and Preantral Ovarian Follicle Populations Between Bos indicus and Bos indicus‐taurus Cows with High or Low Antral Follicles Counts

The objective was to compare populations of antral and pre‐antral ovarian follicles in Bos indicus and Bos indicus‐taurus cows with high and low antral follicle counts. Nelore (Bos indicus, n = 20) and Nelore X Angus (1/2 Bos indicus‐taurus, n = 20) cows were subjected to follicular aspiration without regard to the stage of their oestrous cycle (day of aspiration = D0) to remove all follicles ≥3 mm and induce growth of a new follicular wave. Ovaries were examined by ultrasonography on D4, D19, D34, D49 and D64, and antral follicles ≥3 mm were counted. Thereafter, cows were assigned to one of two groups: high or low antral follicular count (AFC, ≥30 and ≤15 antral follicles, respectively). After D64, ovaries were collected after slaughter and processed for histological evaluation. There was high repeatability in the numbers of antral follicles for all groups (range 0.77–0.96). The mean (±SD) numbers of antral follicles were 35 ± 9 (Bos indicus) and 38 ± 6 (Bos indicus‐taurus) for the high AFC group and 10 ± 3 (Bos indicus) and 12 ± 2 (Bos indicus‐taurus) follicles for the low AFC. The mean number of preantral follicles in the ovaries of Bos indicus‐taurus cows with high AFC (116 226 ± 83 156 follicles) was greater (p < 0.05) than that of Bos indicus cows (63 032 ± 58 705 follicles) with high AFC. However, there was no significant correlation between numbers of antral and preantral follicles.     

Effects of supplementation with green tea by‐products on growth performance,meat quality,blood metabolites and immune cell proliferation in goats

Forty‐eight castrated male goats were used to determine the effects of feeding green tea by‐products (GTB) on growth performance, meat quality, blood metabolites and immune cell proliferation. Experimental treatments consisted of basal diets supplemented with four levels of GTB (0%, 0.5%, 1.0% or 2.0%). Four replicate pens were assigned to each treatment with three goats per replicate. Increasing dietary GTB tended to linearly increase the overall average weight gain and feed intake (p = 0.09). Water holding capacity, pH and sensory attributes of meat were not affected by GTB supplementation, while cooking loss was reduced both linearly and quadratically (p < 0.01). The redness (linear; p = 0.02, quadratic; p < 0.01) and yellowness (quadratic; p < 0.01) values of goat meat were improved by GTB supplementation. Increasing dietary GTB quadratically increased protein and decreased crude fat (p < 0.05), while linearly decreased cholesterol (p = 0.03) content of goat meat. The proportions of monounsaturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and n‐6 PUFA increased linearly (p < 0.01) and n‐3 PUFA increased quadratically (p < 0.05) as GTB increased in diets. Increasing dietary GTB linearly increased the PUFA/SFA (saturated fatty acid) and tended to linearly and quadratically increase (p ≤ 0.10) the n‐6/n‐3 ratio. The thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances values of meat were lower in the 2.0% GTB‐supplemented group in all storage periods (p < 0.05). Dietary GTB linearly decreased plasma glucose and cholesterol (p < 0.01) and quadratically decreased urea nitrogen concentrations (p = 0.001). The growth of spleen cells incubated in concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharides medium increased significantly (p < 0.05) in response to GTB supplementation. Our results suggest that GTB may positively affect the growth performance, meat quality, blood metabolites and immune cell proliferation when supplemented as a feed additive in goat diet.     

BMPR-IB、BMP15、GDF9基因作为福清山羊高繁殖力候选基因的研究

以控制部分绵、山羊品种高繁殖力的BMPR-IB、BMP15和GDF9基因为候选基因,采用PCR-RFLP方法分析福清山羊BMPR-IB、BMP15和GDF9基因多态性与繁殖性状的关系。结果表明:多胎品种福清山羊及南江黄羊在BMPR-IB基因的相应位置上并未发生与Booroola Merino羊相同的突变,同时也未检测到BMP15的FecXI、FecXH、FecXB基因及GDF9的FecGH基因,因此排除了这5个突变位点存在控制福清山羊高繁殖力主效基因的可能性。     

Effect of growth differentiation factor‐9 (GDF‐9) on the progression of buffalo follicles in vitrified–warmed ovarian tissues

To improve the reproductive performance of water buffalo to level can satisfy our needs, the mechanisms controlling ovarian follicular growth and development should be thoroughly investigated. Therefore, in this study, the expressions of growth differentiation factor‐9 (GDF‐9) in buffalo ovaries were examined by immunohistochemistry, and the effects of GDF‐9 treatment on follicle progression were investigated using a buffalo ovary organ culture system. Frozen–thawed buffalo ovarian follicles within slices of ovarian cortical tissue were cultured for 14 days in the presence or absence of GDF‐9. After culture, ovarian slices were fixed, sectioned and stained. The follicles were morphologically analysed and counted. Expression pattern of GDF‐9 was detected in oocytes from primordial follicles onwards, besides, also presented in granulosa cells. Moreover, GDF‐9 was detected in mural granulosa cells and theca cells of pre‐antral follicles. In antral follicles, cumulus cells and theca cells displayed positive expression of GDF‐9. In corpora lutea, GDF‐9 was expressed in both granulosa and theca lutein cells. After in vitro culture, there was no difference in the number of primordial follicles between cultured plus GDF‐9 and cultured control that indicated the GDF‐9 treatment has no effect on the primordial to primary follicle transition. GDF‐9 treatment caused a significant decrease in the number of primary and secondary follicles compared with controls accompanied with a significant increase in pre‐antral and antral follicles. These results suggest that a larger number of primary and secondary follicles were stimulated to progress to later developmental stages when treated with GDF‐9. Vitrification/warming of buffalo ovarian tissue had a little remarkable effect, in contrast to culturing for 14 days, on the expression of GDF‐9. In conclusion, treatment with GDF‐9 was found to promote progression of primary follicle that could provide an alternative approach to stimulate early follicle development and to improve therapies for the most common infertility problem in buffaloes (ovarian inactivity).     

贵州白山羊BMP15基因多态性研究

骨形态发生蛋白15(bone morphogenetic protein 15,BMP15)基因是控制Belclare和Cambridge等绵羊的高繁殖力主效基因,BMP15蛋白中单个氨基酸的改变直接影响绵羊的产卵率和产羔数。采用RFLP和SSCP技术检测BMP15基因中绵羊高繁殖力突变类型FecXG和FecXB在贵州白山羊中的分布。结果表明,在贵州白山羊样品中没有检测到BMP15基因的FecXG突变,说明该突变在贵州白山羊中的自然发生率非常低;在贵州白山羊高产母羊和公羊中检测到BMP15的FecXB突变,以杂合的AB基因型存在,低产母羊中没有检测到该突变,提示BMP15基因的FecXB突变可能是影响贵州白山羊繁殖力的因素之一。     

山羊骨形态发生蛋白2基因外显子克隆及序列分析

设计4对引物,采用PCR-SSCP技术检测骨形态发生蛋白2（bone morphogenetic protein 2,BMP2）基因外显子2、3在济宁青山羊、安哥拉、波尔、内蒙古绒山羊4个品种共191个个体中的单核苷酸多态性,分析该基因对济宁青山羊高繁殖力的影响,并对济宁青山羊BMP2基因2个外显子进行克隆测序。结果表明,4对引物的扩增片段在4个山羊品种中均无多态性;山羊扩增片段核苷酸和氨基酸序列与人、黑猩猩、牛、犬、大鼠、小鼠6个物种的同源性分别为86.5%～91.3%和88.8%～99%;与其他物种相比,山羊BMP2扩增片段推导氨基酸序列存在3处特有突变,分别是位于第131、353、365位的脯氨酸、缬氨酸、亮氨酸变为苏氨酸(P131T)、天冬氨酸(V353D)、脯氨酸(L365P)。可见,哺乳动物BMP2基因外显子2、3序列保守性强,该区域可能不是影响山羊高繁殖力的功能结构域。     

山羊BMP15基因FecX-L突变的检测

采用PCR-SSCP方法在高繁殖力山羊品种（济宁青山羊、波尔山羊和文登奶山羊）和低繁殖力山羊品种（内蒙古绒山羊、安哥拉山羊和辽宁绒山羊）中检测骨形态发生蛋白15(bone morphogenetic protein 15,BMP15)基因的FecX-L突变,同时研究该基因突变对济宁青山羊高繁殖力的影响。结果表明这6个山羊品种都没有发生与Lacaune绵羊相同的FecX-L突变（C53Y）。可见BMP15基因中影响Lacaune 绵羊高繁殖力的突变位点对济宁青山羊的高繁殖力没有显著影响。     

Growth differentiation factor‐9 improves development,mitochondrial activity and meiotic resumption of sheep oocytes after in vitro culture of secondary follicles

This study analysed the effect of growth differentiation factor‐9 (GDF‐9) on the in vitro culture of isolated ovine secondary follicles. The follicles were cultured in α‐MEM supplemented with BSA, insulin, glutamine, hypoxanthine, transferrin, selenium, ascorbic acid and FSH (α‐MEM⁺—control medium) or α‐MEM⁺ supplemented with 1, 10, 50 or 100 ng/ml GDF‐9. Next, the oocytes were destined to in vitro maturation (IVM). After 12 days of culture, there were no differences regarding the percentage of normal follicles, antrum formation and follicle diameter between the treatments (p > 0.05). The rates of fully grown oocytes (≥110 µm) were higher (p < 0.05) in 100 ng/ml GDF‐9 than other treatments, except for 10 ng/ml of GDF‐9 (p > 0.05). Treatment containing 100 ng/ml GDF‐9 showed higher (p < 0.05) mitochondrial activity than the control group. Moreover, 100 ng/ml GDF‐9 showed more oocytes in MI than α‐MEM⁺, 1 or 50 ng/ml GDF‐9 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 100 ng/ml GDF‐9 increased the growth, mitochondrial function and meiotic resumption of oocytes from in vitro grown sheep secondary follicles.     

湖羊BMPR-IB、BMP15和GDF9基因的RFLP分析

以BMPR-IB、BMP15、GDF9基因作为湖羊多胎性状候选基因,采用PCR-RFLP技术检测了53只湖羊上述候选基因的单核苷酸多态性。结果表明:湖羊BMPR-IB基因的FecB位点只存在BB和+B两种基因型,二者的基因型频率分别为0.981 1和0.018 9;B等位基因为绝对优势等位基因,基因频率为0.990 6。未检测到BMP15基因的B4(FecXB)突变和GDF9基因的G8(FecGH)突变。因此,推测BMPR-IB基因的FecB位点是湖羊多胎性的主效基因,而BMP15基因和GDF9基因与湖羊群产羔数关系不大。研究结果同时反映了所测湖羊群体是一个高度纯化的宝贵绵羊品种资源。     

Antral Follicle Populations and Embryo Production – In Vitro and In Vivo – of Bos indicus–taurus Donors from Weaning to Yearling Ages

Interest in indicus–taurus cattle has been increasing, as these animals are likely to present the best characteristics of Zebu and European bovine breeds. The aim of this study was to compare the embryo production of indicus–taurus donors with high vs low antral follicle counts obtained by ovum pickup/in vitro production (OPU/IVP) and superovulation (SOV)/embryo collection. Braford females at weaning age (3/8 Nelore × 5/8 Hereford, n = 137, 9 ± 1 month old) were subjected to six serial ovarian ultrasonographs and were assigned to two groups according to the number of antral follicles ≥3 mm as follows: G‐High antral follicular count (AFC, n = 20, mean ≥40 follicles) and G‐Low AFC (n = 20, mean ≤10 follicles). When the females (n = 40) reached 24 months of age, they were subjected to both OPU/IVP and SOV/embryo collection. The average number of follicles remained highly stable throughout all of the ultrasound evaluations (range 0.90–0.92). The mean number of COCs recovered (36.90 ± 13.68 vs 5.80 ± 3.40) was higher (p < 0.05) for females with high AFC, resulting in higher (p < 0.05) numbers of total embryos among females with high vs low AFC (6.10 ± 4.51 vs 0.55 ± 0.83). The mean number of embryos per collection was also higher (p < 0.05) for G‐High vs G‐Low (6.95 ± 5.34 vs 1.9 ± 2.13). We conclude that a single ultrasound performed at pre‐pubertal ages to count antral follicles can be used as a predictor of embryo production following IVP and SOV/embryo collection in indicus–taurus females.