This study aims to highlight the cellular and molecular events of atresia in the Bedouin goat ovarian follicles. Ovaries collected from slaughterhouses during breeding and non-breeding seasons were submitted to morphological studies and immunolocalization of active caspase-3. The results showed that ovaries were heavier (P<0.05) during the breeding season. The atresia occurred at all stages of follicular development in breeding and non-breeding seasons. At the preantral stage, degeneration affected primarily oocyte and active caspase-3 immunoreactivity was detected in the oocyte with a few staining in follicular cells. At the antral stage, atresia affected in first the granulosa layer cells which were characterized by an abnormal indentation of nuclei and positive active caspase-3 immunolabeling. At the early stage of atresia, the granulosa cells exhibited a few pycnotic nuclei and lost their cellular integrity, by getting scattered; these cells were positive to active caspase-3. At the late stage, the scattered cells invaded the antral cavity and the dead cells were eliminated by phagocytic cells. The oocyte seemed to undertake a long process of atresia via an autophagic pathway and it was the last to die. Finally, the follicle was replaced by a collagen fiber forming a scar of atresia. In conclusion, important morphological changes occurred in atretic follicles mainly in antral stage by apoptosis via caspase-3 signaling pathway, in breeding and non-breeding seasons.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.